Rotary and Ashoka Renew Partnership After Pilot Success

Rotary
Quelle: Rotary

Following a successful pilot year, Rotary and Ashoka are announcing a three-year partnership renewal that will promote opportunities for networking and collaboration between Rotary and Ashoka to help address key social and economic challenges.

Collaboration in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic is critical at this time. Rotary and Ashoka networks are using empathy, creativity, and flexibility to help people affected by coronavirus, keep connections strong across communities, and prepare for a post-pandemic world.

Other opportunities for collaboration between the two organizations include Rotary and Rotaract members’ support of Ashoka Fellows social entrepreneurship endeavors, development and implementation of club projects and training or knowledge exchange between Ashoka Fellows and members. Members may, in turn, introduce Ashoka Fellows to pivotal community members and provide support for social ventures through hands-on volunteerism and community empowerment. Additionally, Ashoka Youth Venture can work with Rotaract and Interact members in particular to integrate change-making into their projects and work with them on Ashoka’s main change-making skills: empathy, new leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving.

“Taking on the toughest global challenges – from global pandemics to sustainable economic development – is in Rotary’s DNA,” said Rotary International General Secretary John Hewko. “Continuing our collaboration with Ashoka Fellows – among the very best social entrepreneurs – is a great opportunity for our members to pursue transformative projects and seek the greatest possible positive impact in the future.”

“Ashoka’s recent Global Fellow survey has provided critical and new data supporting Fellows’ ability to tackle complex challenges and create systems-changing impact,” said Diana Wells, President Emerita of Ashoka. “The Rotary partnership has supported the integration of Ashoka Fellows into the communities in which they live and work deepening impact in a world challenged by a pandemic and deep gaps in inequality; we are grateful for the collaboration during a period of time when systems change is critical.”

Rotary members develop and implement sustainable projects that fight diseasepromote peaceprovide clean watersupport educationsave mothers and childrengrow local economies, and supports the environment. The Rotary Foundation has awarded more than $221 million over the last several years to support these efforts. In addition to Ashoka, other Rotary service and project partners include Habitat for HumanityMediators Beyond Borders InternationalPeace Corps, and ShelterBox.