JOIN USThe United Nations has rolled out a framework of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that needs to be achieved by 2030. These goals have been formed to end poverty, reduce inequalities and address climate change. These goals follow the Millennium Development Goals, in which the reduction in poverty rate was a significant achievement. We now have a chance to bring the best of minds around the world to make these goals successful.
Social empowerment
Given the current pace at which the progress is made, the SDGs are projected to fail. Hence, there is a need for technically advanced, financially capable, intellectually brilliant and above all, people with a mission-driven heart, to bring about a changing impact in the lives of millions of people.
1 Million for 1 Billion (1M1B) is a foundation that aims to support the United Nations' SDGs by identifying promising leaders of the future who have the ability to inspire people and create a positive social influence. 1M1B guides young and dynamic leaders who are focused on turning their passion and interests into impactful initiatives for themselves and the community.
1M1B's 'Future Leaders' is a programme that aims to create a new brand of socially conscious leaders who are connected to their communities. It works with young students (future leaders) through a leadership curriculum based on innovation and entrepreneurial thinking.
The programme was piloted in March 2017 where four future leaders between the ages 13 and 17 presented their ideas and impact project at the United Nations Headquarters in New York during the annual Youth Commission on Status of Women (CSW). Looking at the success of the pilot, the second pilot was started in August 2017 in partnership with The International School of Bangalore (TISB). Since then, 26 students from TISB have taken part in this six-month programme to create positive impact in the community through their projects. By the end of 2018, 500 more future leaders from 15 schools of India are expected to participate. Here is a look at some projects and work done by the students who have undergone 1M1B's Future Leaders curriculum:
* The Project Fresh Start is an endeavour by Nikita Nambiar to provide a more holistic rehabilitative intervention to empower incarcerated women. It hopes to give women convicts an opportunity to break the cycle of incarceration and become productive community members. Ten women inmates of Central Women Prison, Tumakuru, are being trained in the art of making Tanjore paintings by a professional artist. She plans on auctioning off these paintings through a charity event at a later date and forwarding the proceeds to the women directly.
* Gautam Dayal is a budding photographer. He is working to contribute towards raising awareness about the industrial waste and untreated sewage that have polluted Bellandur lake. His action plan is to involve the residents in a clean-up and improvement drive with the help of local non-profit organisations that are working on this issue.
* Through his project, Arjun Kannan aims to create livelihood opportunities for the underprivileged. Arjun's project revolves around connecting underprivileged communities to employment opportunities in the garments industry. Armed with information on vacancies, recruitment criteria, expected wages and employment benefits, Arjun has conducted field visits to a few communities and met with people. He has already employed 10 underprivileged youngsters through his initiative.
These future leaders, along with 22 others will showcase their work at a event in Bangalore on February 18, 2018.