How investing in social impact networks can spur innovation and change

This article is brought to you thanks to the collaboration of The European Sting with the World Economic Forum.

Author: Rana Dajani, Founder, We Love Reading, Jordan & Hashemite University, Jordan, and President of the Society for Advancement of Science and Technology in the Arab world & Maria Gallo, Visiting Research Fellow, Trinity College, Dublin & Ján Michalko, Senior Project Lead, inHive & Margaux Jacquemin, Head of Alumni, Enseña por México / Teach For All Network & Joseph Munyambanza, Youth Engagement & Inclusion Consultant, Scholars Program, Mastercard Foundation

• Social impact networks use the best of collective human capital to address pressing issues.
• These networks are already used within organizations, but challenges such as COVID-19 and the climate crisis require mobilization beyond traditional boundaries.
• Promoting diversity and inclusion within these networks is key to their success.

When the COVID-19 pandemic closed schools in 2020, it was often teachers, parents, non-profits and other local leaders who banded together, mobilizing existing relationships to find solutions and enact change. They tackled the crisis and associated systems failures through innovative use of collective human capital.

COVID-19, the climate crisis and other complex challenges of our time require us to tap into the best of our human capital. As a result, investing in social impact networks to diffuse human resources, create capital for members and start a ripple effect of impact has become a necessity.

Studies such as Human Capital as an Asset – a white paper published by the World Economic Forum in collaboration with Willis Towers Watson – make a clear case for the return on investment in human capital within organizations. But we must use networks to extend and mobilize human capital beyond traditional boundaries.

At the HundrED Innovation Summit in November 2021, we worked together to distil and present the following ideas on networks based on our different places and perspectives:

Investing in social impact networks can help achieve social impact

Networks are often not recognized for the crucial work they offer to individuals and the community. Consider, for example, a secondary school alumni network in an underserved community – it can mobilize graduates to become relatable role models for current pupils.

Similarly, a group of teachers or parents who remain connected after a transformational intervention can exchange ideas to better serve families and communities; as can a network of researchers from different disciplines that have attended the same funded programme. These networks can be nurtured to work together to address some of the most complex problems facing our world.

“Invest in community-led networks, they make a difference,” says Margaux Jacquemin, Head of Alumni at Enseña por México / Teach For All Network. “When networks are at their most powerful, they make people happier and more inspired in their work and the impact can be really strong; networks are very effective in contributing to systemic change in education.”

“Invest in community-led networks, they make a difference.”—Margaux Jacquemin, Enseña por México / Teach For All Network

The success of social impact networks depends on diversity and inclusion

The success of networks is not just related to the synergies developed with others that are like us, but also the diversity they offer in terms of the benefits of looking at problems from different perspectives. We might feel uncomfortable with this difference, but when mobilized by the same challenge, this allows for better outcomes to be achieved collectively by the network. That is why many organisations and funders have invested resources to nurture their networks.

For social impact networks to be impactful in mobilizing their diversity, deliberate structures, processes and relationships of trust must be developed, which takes time and resources. “Be intentional in making sure everyone is given the opportunity to participate,” says Joseph Munyambanza, Youth Engagement Consultant at the Mastercard Foundation

“Members of the network may come from different backgrounds and different cultures. Sometimes you have a few people dominating the stage and others listening in the background.”

“Be intentional in making sure everyone is given the opportunity to participate.”—Joseph Munyambanza, Mastercard Foundation

Global networks can be built to foster participation by all

When we consider networks that span regional boundaries, the perspectives of those from the Global North often dominate. A network built on shared values and experiences must empower participants to speak up and question the dominant paradigm, which often emerges as a language (usually English).

Social impact networks must be hyperconscious of these paradigms. Through diversity they can attempt to build bridges – translation or parameters for participation can enable diverse involvement and ideas to percolate to the surface, for example.

Dr Rana Dajani, We Love Reading founder and board member of the Catalyst 2030 Network, suggests that network leaders should “insist that everybody speaks their own language and not isolate network participants by speaking in English. This will always exclude the marginalized and, in the end, we have enough of the dominant, we need those marginalized voices.” She continues: “Tell your story, share your opinion, talk about how you feel and don’t feel intimidated. We need role models all over the world.”

“People need to see people who look like them, who speak like them and that encourages others, so don’t think that you’re just another person.” —Dr Rana Dajani, Founder of We Love Reading and board member of the Catalyst 2030 Network

What’s the World Economic Forum doing about diversity, equity and inclusion?

The COVID-19 pandemic and recent social and political unrest have created a profound sense of urgency for companies to actively work to tackle inequity.

The Forum’s work on Diversity, Equality, Inclusion and Social Justice is driven by the New Economy and Society Platform, which is focused on building prosperous, inclusive and just economies and societies. In addition to its work on economic growth, revival and transformation, work, wages and job creation, and education, skills and learning, the Platform takes an integrated and holistic approach to diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice, and aims to tackle exclusion, bias and discrimination related to race, gender, ability, sexual orientation and all other forms of human diversity.

The Platform produces data, standards and insights, such as the Global Gender Gap Report and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 4.0 Toolkit, and drives or supports action initiatives, such as Partnering for Racial Justice in Business, The Valuable 500 – Closing the Disability Inclusion Gap, Hardwiring Gender Parity in the Future of Work, Closing the Gender Gap Country Accelerators, the Partnership for Global LGBTI Equality, the Community of Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officers and the Global Future Council on Equity and Social Justice.

Networks are diverse. As a result, network building takes different shapes and forms, depending on the purpose they are trying to achieve or the context in which they operate. Alumni networks—and indeed all social impact networks—have the potential for innovation and to create a powerful human capital-based circular economy.