March 16, 2011
IAVE 21st World Volunteer Conference Forum 320: From Words to Action: The Responsibility to Lead
In our fast changing world, the only certainty is change itself bringing with it complex new risks and vulnerabilities along with unprecedented new opportunities for progress. A leader must be able to navigate successfully through these challenges. But, more arguably, how far does the responsibility to lead extend, and what may be additionally expected from leadership in the voluntary sector? What should leaders do when confronted by inevitable ethical and moral dilemmas and tough choices? How can leadership succeed in shaping change itself rather than to be dreiven by change?
Dr. Kapila will present a thought-provoking perspective on leadership from a personal perspective that spans his past experiences of intervening to reduce the genocidal violence in Darfur, stimulating orgabizational reform in the international humanitarian and development system, promoting innovation in tackling challenges of HIV, disaster risk reduction and climate change, and pushing the boundaries in terms of strategic thinking to "do more, do better and reach further" in terms of voluntary action.
Runa Khan will share how realisation leads to responsibility by telling her story of Friendship, a fast-growing NGO which is the resule of one's commitment and passion. Seeing extreme poverty, Runa Khan was struck by an idea that would contribute to concret change; an idea she was not only passionate about, but which made sense to people who could help her realise it. Her commitment was infectious and resulted in the very successful primary and secondary healthcare floating hospital, Lifebuoy Friendship Hospital, targeted to help those who had limited or no access to any healthcare services. Since then it has diversified from health to other development sectors such as education, livelihood support, disaster management, and cultural preservation.
At the session, both speakers will illustrate the challenges faced and the leadership skills required to have one's idea turn into a diverse and effective organization thriving on respect for its beneficiaries, empathy and of course innovation.
2011 IAVE 21st World Volunteer Conference in Singapore
Jan 26, Day 3
Forum 320: From Words to Action: The Responsibility to Lead
Moderator: Dr Tan Chi Chiu, Chairman, Lien Centre for Social Innovation
Dr. Mukesh Kapila, Under Secretary General for National Society and Knowledge Development, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Runa Khan Marre, Executive Director, Friendship
