Do One Better with Alberto Lidji in Philanthropy, Sustainability and Social Entrepreneurship Alberto Lidji

Danny Sriskandarajah, CEO of the New Economics Foundation, on his new book "Power to the People", Universal Basic Income and creating a better future.
Overview
In this intellectually stimulating episode, host Alberto Lidji interviews Danny Sriskandarajah, the Chief Executive of the New Economics Foundation (NEF). The discussion delves into various topics surrounding new economic thinking, including universal basic income (UBI), innovative economic models, and the importance of brave philanthropy. Danny also shares insights from his new book, "Power to the People."
Key Discussion Points
1. Introduction to NEF   - NEF is a "think and do" tank founded 40 years ago by alternative economists and environmentalists.   - It aims to challenge economic orthodoxies, create inclusive economies, and protect the planet.
2. Living Income vs. Universal Basic Income (UBI)   - Danny explains the concept of a "living income," which goes beyond UBI by integrating comprehensive social services.   - NEF is piloting the world's first and largest living income initiative in Manchester, combining UBI with enhanced public services.
3. New Economic Models   - The need for new economic models to address contemporary challenges such as ecological constraints, demographic changes, and political trust deficits.   - Danny critiques orthodox economics, emphasizing the necessity for innovative approaches that work for people and the planet.
4. Brave Philanthropy   - The role of philanthropy in driving transformative change.   - The importance of taking risks and funding innovative solutions that challenge existing social norms and structures.
5. Danny's Career and Motivations   - His journey from Sri Lanka to becoming a global advocate for social justice.   - The golden thread of social justice and internationalism running through his career.
6. Book Insight: "Power to the People"   - The book reflects on Danny's experiences and proposes ideas to renew democracy, democratize the economy, and reform digital and global spaces.   - It emphasizes the need for human-centered approaches to technology and economics.
7. Future of AI and Digital Regulation   - Discussion on AI's potential impacts and the importance of effective regulation to protect human dignity and agency.   - The concept of platform cooperatives and the need for public ownership of digital spaces.
8. Optimism and Urgency   - Danny's optimistic view that, despite current challenges, it is possible to create a better future through innovative thinking and collective action.   - Encouragement for individuals and organizations to think outside the box and drive systemic change.
Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 250+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. 

Sarah Bouchie, CEO of Helen Keller Intl on Combating Global Blindness, Malnutrition, and the Impact of Climate Change.
Helen Keller International's Mission: Helen Keller Intl, a 109-year-old organization, focuses on combating blindness, poor health, and malnutrition. The organization scales innovative solutions to ensure everyone can live a healthy life and achieve their full potential. 
Global Operations and Focus Areas: The organization operates as an international NGO with headquarters in New York City and local registrations in various countries. Active in 20 countries, they work on preventing blindness, addressing neglected tropical diseases, and tackling eye health issues like refractive error, cataract, and diabetic retinopathy. The focus is on underlying causes of vision loss and malnutrition.
Current Projects and Achievements: Sarah discusses progress in eliminating neglected tropical diseases like trachoma in West Africa. She shares the transformative impact of providing glasses to children in New York City and Minneapolis. The organization is also addressing global food poverty exacerbated by the climate crisis, particularly affecting Africa and South Asia.
Challenges and Solutions: Helen Keller Intl addresses malnutrition by naming and analyzing the issue, identifying vulnerable communities, and funding effective programs. Successful interventions include promoting breastfeeding, providing vitamin A supplementation, and treating acute and severe malnutrition. Political will, supply chains, and health system expertise are crucial for effective action.
Community Engagement and Behavioral Change: Sarah highlights the role of community health workers in promoting nutritional diversity, using her experiences in Kenya as an example. Local planning and community-based agriculture are essential for ensuring access to nutritious food. Malnutrition issues are present in both the Global South and advanced economies like the United States, requiring behavior change and political commitment.
Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 250+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. 

The CEO of the Impact Investing Institute, Kieron Boyle, discusses the nuances of impact investing, its various definitions, and the role it plays in creating a fairer, greener, and more resilient future.
Kieron explains the mission of the Impact Investing Institute, a nonprofit established by the UK government to accelerate impact investing both in the UK and globally. The conversation highlights how impact investing operates within financial markets to drive significant social and environmental outcomes.
Kieron Boyle defines impact investing as investing with the intention to generate positive social and environmental impacts alongside financial returns. This type of investing can range from commercial-plus investments, which offer good financial returns with additional impact considerations, to investments with high impact but potentially lower financial returns. The discussion emphasizes the importance of using impact as a lens for investment decisions, aiming to mobilize an additional trillion pounds of impact investment over the next five years. They explore the need for deeper, more liquid, and transparent markets to facilitate greater investment in impactful ventures.
The episode also addresses the challenges of impact investing, such as the necessity of pricing negative externalities to better align market activities with social and environmental goals. Kieron explains how blended finance can pool different types of capital to unlock greater investment in impactful ventures. They discuss the role of various actors, including governments, private businesses, institutional investors, and philanthropic organizations, in advancing impact investing. Collaboration among these sectors is highlighted as crucial for achieving systemic change.
Kieron shares practical steps and resources for those interested in impact investing. The Impact Investing Institute offers a comprehensive knowledge hub and library to help investors and other stakeholders learn more about impact investing. A recently published report, "Family Offices: A Roadmap to Impact," provides insights into how family offices are engaging with impact investing. The episode concludes with a call to action for investors to adopt impact as a fundamental filter in their investment strategies, aiming to create a more equitable and sustainable future. 
Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 250+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. 

Jon Rosser, Chair of the Single Homeless Project, on the systemic undercounting of women experiencing homelessness.
Overview: In this eye-opening episode of the Do One Better Podcast, Alberto Lidji sits down with Jon Rosser, Chair of the Single Homeless Project, to delve into the pressing issue of homelessness in the UK, with a particular focus on the systemic undercounting of women experiencing homelessness.
Key Discussion Points:
Introduction to SHP:
The Single Homeless Project operates in London, supporting homeless individuals or those at risk of homelessness.
Founded by a group of homeless people 40 years ago, SHP has grown to support over 10,000 individuals annually with a dedicated staff of 700.
Current State of Homelessness in the UK:
Despite various interventions, homelessness numbers are rising due to housing shortages, affordability issues, and inadequate social housing.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic showed that it is possible to house everyone if the will and resources are available.
Gender Disparity in Homelessness Counts:
Traditional counting methods underreport the number of homeless women, who often avoid streets due to vulnerability and safety concerns.
A new gender-informed approach reveals a much higher number of homeless women, many of whom resort to dangerous alternatives to sleeping on the streets.
Challenges Faced by Homeless Women:
Many homeless women face domestic violence, mental health issues, and the need for safe, gender-specific accommodation.
There is a significant gap in the support services provided to these women, who often fall through the cracks of traditional systems.
Policy Implications and Recommendations:
The need for more accurate counting methods and gender-aware policies to ensure homeless women receive adequate support.
Advocacy for increased women-only accommodations and better safety measures in mixed facilities.
Encouraging local authorities and philanthropists to invest in resources for a comprehensive homeless count and support services.
Jon Rosser’s Journey:
From social housing to international work with Voluntary Service Overseas and Save the Children, Jon’s career has been dedicated to addressing housing and homelessness issues.
Now, as Chair of SHP, Jon continues his mission to support vulnerable populations, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to tackling homelessness.
Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 250+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. 

In this enlightening episode, we are joined by Tony Hulton, Chief Executive Officer of Walking with the Wounded. Tony shares the critical work his organisation is doing to support ex-service personnel in the UK.
The discussion spans across various support services provided by the charity, including mental health, social work, employment support, and tackling digital exclusion. This episode offers valuable insights for those who care about veterans and their reintegration into civilian life.
Tony begins by introducing Walking with the Wounded, a national charity founded 14 years ago during the Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts. Initially focused on helping physically injured veterans re-enter the workforce, the organisation has since expanded its scope to address a broader range of issues.
Today, they offer three core services: Headstart, Care Coordination, and Individual Placement Services.
Headstart provides mental health and therapy services tailored for veterans, addressing not only PTSD but also general mental health needs.
Care Coordination, akin to social work, is specifically designed for those with armed forces experience.
Individual Placement Services offer employment support that goes beyond job placement to include ongoing assistance.
Tony explains the unique challenges veterans face when transitioning to civilian life. Everyday tasks that civilians take for granted, such as applying for a passport or a rental agreement, can be daunting for those accustomed to the structured life within the military.
The organisation recognises that while many veterans transition smoothly, a significant minority encounter difficulties that often manifest 10 to 14 years after leaving the service. These issues can include unemployment, underemployment, debt, and family breakdowns.
Employment is a critical area of focus for Walking with the Wounded. Veterans possess valuable skills such as leadership, management, and teamwork, making them highly desirable employees. However, challenges can arise years after their service ends, as skills may fade and confidence may wane.
Tony emphasises the importance of ongoing support for veterans in employment, ensuring they can leverage their skills effectively in civilian roles.
Walking with the Wounded employs around 90 staff, including 60 frontline workers. The charity's approach involves building trust with veterans and creating personalised care plans.
Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 250+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. 

In this episode of the Do One Better Podcast, Alberto Lidji engages in a compelling conversation with Geoff Ibbotson, the Executive Director of the Global Surgery Foundation.
Geoff shares his journey and the critical work his organization is doing to improve surgical care systems worldwide, particularly in low-resource settings.
This episode sheds light on the importance of comprehensive surgical systems in achieving global health goals and reducing poverty. As Geoff notes: "A strong surgical care system strengthens the entire health system and is one of the best investments for global health."
Key Topics Covered:
Introduction to the Global Surgery Foundation: Geoff explains the origins and mission of the Global Surgery Foundation, highlighting its role in supporting and advancing surgical care systems globally.
Comprehensive Surgical Systems: A deep dive into the various components of a functional surgical care system, including diagnostics, anesthesia, nursing, and rehabilitation.
Impact on Global Health: How strengthening surgical care systems can significantly improve health outcomes and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Surg Fund and Surg Hub: An overview of the Surg Fund, aimed at pooling resources for impactful surgical projects, and the Surg Hub, a digital platform for disseminating surgical knowledge and training.
Challenges and Success Stories: Geoff shares real-life examples of the challenges faced in low-resource settings and the successes achieved through improved surgical care.
Notable Partners and Supporters:
UNITAR (United Nations Institute for Training and Research)
Rali Mampeule
Smile Train
Harvard University Medical School
Johnson & Johnson Foundation
Takeda Pharmaceuticals
Siemens Healthineers
Canton of Geneva
Call to Action:
Listeners are encouraged to explore the Surg Hub for free, high-quality training and resources on surgical care. Additionally, the Global Surgery Foundation welcomes partnerships and support to further its mission of strengthening surgical systems worldwide.
Conclusion:
Geoff Ibbotson emphasizes the urgent need for increased funding and collaboration to build robust surgical care systems. He highlights the critical role these systems play in overall health system strengthening and achieving universal health coverage.
Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 250+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship.