What we are reading

The world today faces unprecedented polycrises–environmental shocks, political instability, economic volatility–all converging in ways that demand resilient systems built upon human capacity and collective leadership. Yet historically, our global systems, particularly foreign aid, have dramatically underinvested in local leadership and agency. For instance, in 2018, only $15.2 million of Official Development Assistance (ODA) was invested in leadership development according to a study by the Boston Consulting Group, representing just 0.01% of the approximately $149.3 billion in total ODA for that year. This gap has left communities vulnerable, precisely when local agency is most needed to navigate uncertainty.

Over recent years NGOs have worked hard to see more power and money concentrated in the hands of local organizations. We talked to four who have gone further than others, and made in their mission to make this happen.

Anna Molero of People First Community Secretariat spoke with Catherine Edwards on March 7, 2023.

This book is about the graduates of Dream a Dream. It centres on moving, personal stories of young people and what it means to grow up with adversity and thrive. It weaves in research about positive youth development and best practices of the globally recognised life skills programme developed by Dream a Dream; it also chronicles Dream a Dream’s growth and development as an organisation. It shares stories of hope that with proper support from caring adults, young people from even the most vulnerable backgrounds can thrive and lead their communities, for the benefit of our shared future.