Human progress and development affects people from all walks of life and success in any field now demands a multidimensional and comprehensive perspective. Governments, Universities and other Social Institutions are now increasingly faced with preparing Leaders to operate in the social sector. As they acquire competencies and knowledge about different subjects, many find themselves inadequately prepared for taking on leadership positions in this sector. They are challenged by the complexity and diversity that a rapidly changing world presents them with.
Today’s problems such as education, health, global warming, health care, human rights & Gender issues are complex and demand newer skills in tackling them. No single Institution, be it a governmental one, a Corporation or a non-profit one can solve these in isolation. A new kind of leadership, a more collaborative and self-aware model is needed. More than ever, leaders must integrate knowledge and talent from individuals, units, and organizations in the business, non-profit and government sectors to advance the common good. This can happen only when young students have a learning experience that exposes them to both the challenges and the possible interventions that can solve them. Such experiences may not emerge only from the academic environments that universities provide. It needs a more hands one approach and this can happen when Universities and grass root organizations partner together. More about how successful partnerships can emerge can be heard from me on this talk based on the successful partnership of SVYM with the ILR School of Cornell University, USA.
-Balu
