Geneva Center for Business and Human Rights’ Post

The 2024 Annual Newsletter for the Re-Direction Project highlights the milestones, progress, and exciting collaborations achieved this year. Inside, you’ll find: Updates on key project activities, including successful transnational events and stakeholder engagement. Insights into digital transformation, inclusivity, and sustainability in higher education. Highlights from international conferences, workshops, and innovative practices adopted across partner institutions. Stay informed about how Re-Direction is reshaping higher education to meet the challenges of a dynamic global landscape. 📖 Read the full newsletter - https://lnkd.in/enfBHvmr ------------------------------------------- Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the European Education and Culture Executive Agency can be held responsible for them. #redirection #ErasmusPlus #inclusivity

The education system plays a crucial role in transitioning towards a more responsible and impact-oriented future of Central and Eastern Europe. By integrating core values such as responsibility, accountability, and integrity into school curricula and training programs, we can foster development in students, educators, and current and future leaders. At the end of September, the largest insights and innovation festival in Europe, INSUMMIT, took place in Warsaw, Poland, organized by PTBRiO. This event served as an important platform for discussing these critical issues. Our Head of Research, Konrad Siwiński, led one of the key sessions, "World in Change. School in Change," in collaboration with Magdalena Tędziagolska. A panel of esteemed experts shared their perspectives on the future of the education system. The keynote address was delivered by Jędrzej Witkowski, PhD, who is heading an expert group working with the Polish government to develop the curriculum for the new subject "Civic Education." Konrad highlighted key conclusions from the session: 🔸 Changes in education must be driven by an evidence-based approach, utilizing best practices, including those from abroad, and expert knowledge. 🔸 Schools must focus not only on educational outcomes but also on the well-being of students, the relationships between them, and their mental health. 🔸 It is imperative to invest in teachers, as their competencies directly influence the development of students and the educational environment. 🔸 Numerous effective practices have already been developed, and it is essential to continue promoting and expanding these efforts. Our research made it evident that education is one of the key levers of change. For a concise, 1-page overview of recommendations for academia, please take a look at our latest analysis, “Unlocking Private Capital for Social Good in Central & Eastern Europe”: https://lnkd.in/eDuCtUqG A big thank you to all the panelists and speakers: Tomasz Gajderowicz, Małgorzata Wyczańska, Kinga Białek, Justyna Barańska, Agnieszka Jankowska, Agata Luczynska and Katarzyna Nabrdalik. #responsibility #sustainability #accountability #impact #positiveimpact #socialimpact #socialgood #socialeconomy #valueeconomy #philanthropy #CSR #ESG #impactinvesting #CEE #education #INSUMMIT2024

In November 2009, I found myself at an International Policy conference in Vienna, presenting a lecture at the United Nations building on 'participation.' After my morning lecture, I joined a think-tank tasked with creating a strategy to engage young people globally in politics and education. Paired with a Swedish colleague, my mind wandered to Austrian pastries rather than the task. With five minutes left, I pitched my idea: "Who Cares?" I argued that the reason for low participation isn't a lack of programs, but a misalignment of personal values with institutional values. Instead of more programs, we need to understand why people might participate and value it. My idea surprisingly made the top three and was presented to 200 policymakers, academics, and practitioners. My slide was simple: 'Who Cares' - An initiative to value participation. I explained how people engage in activities they value and how organizations miss the crucial step of understanding their users' fears, hopes, dreams, needs, and wants. This experience led me to become a Design Thinker, emphasizing empathy in design processes to create meaningful engagement. Since then, I've worked with many to integrate this crucial step, proving that understanding and valuing participation can transform organizations and society. [Photo of me, United Nations, Vienna, 2009, with hair;]

In order to help us develop Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)'s international strategy, we would appreciate input from our key stakeholders through the completion of this Global Strategy Framework Survey 2024. Your opportunity to: - inform our future international partnerships and engagement activities and funding calls - tell us about your current international activities, your future international ambitions, and In order to help us develop @ahrcpress' international strategy, we would appreciate input from our key stakeholders through the completion of this Global Strategy Framework Survey 2024. Your opportunity to: - inform our future international partnerships and engagement activities and funding calls - tell us about your current international activities, your future international ambitions, and the support that you would like to see from AHRC - send us your thoughts on opportunities to collaborate with other key research-funding organisations. key research-funding organisations. https://lnkd.in/etZGSuFJ Christopher Smith Kristine Zaidi, PhD Melissa Lennartz-Walker Greg Meredith Dr Jamie Davies

Congratulations Veronica Martin Ruiz, PhD, assistant professor of marketing at Isenberg School of Management, UMass Amherst! Veronica Martin Ruiz, PhD and her co-authors were recently honored with the 2024 Thomas C. Kinnear Award. This award recognizes the research paper making the most significant contribution to the understanding of marketing and public policy issues over the past three years. The winning article, “Institutionalizing Diversity-and-Inclusion-Engaged Marketing for Multicultural Marketplace Well-Being,” appeared in the April 2021 issue of the Journal of Public Policy & Marketing. The article highlights the importance of proactive and consistent DIEM actions in promoting diversity and inclusion for all marketplace participants. The article can be accessed via the following link: Institutionalizing Diversity-and-Inclusion-Engaged Marketing for Multicultural Marketplace Well-Being, in the Journal of Public Policy & Marketing – Multicultural Marketplaces (https://lnkd.in/edKjCrnP)

🌍🎓 I'm thrilled to share my experience at the recent International Public Policy Association Conference in Mexico, where I had the privilege of co-chairing an international workshop I co-created on "The Role of Public Policy in Fostering Social Innovation Within Ecosystems." From the early brainstorming sessions to seeing our workshop come to life, the entire process was both exhilarating and enlightening. It's moments like these that remind me why I embarked on this doctoral journey in the first place (aside from the copious amounts of coffee, of course ☕️). To top it off, I also had the opportunity to present my latest #research paper, a meta-study on the "Potential of Assistive Technology Innovations for Inclusive Education Practice," inspired by the work of my NGO, Education 360. Presenting my research paper came with a mix of pride, excitement, and a dash of nervous energy. The feedback and discussions that followed were incredibly enriching, and I’m grateful for the brilliant minds that engaged with my work. A big shoutout to my co-chair, Prof. Heike Grimm, and participants: Your insights and enthusiasm made this workshop (T08WO2) a success. Here's to many more collaborative adventures and academic breakthroughs! In the words of a wise scholar (or maybe it was just a meme I saw online)😉: "A PhD is like climbing a mountain—exhausting, challenging, but oh-so-rewarding when you reach the summit and realize the view was worth every step." For me, every milestone is a summit, as I aim to enjoy this journey. Visiting new countries, taking memorable photos, and enjoying Mexican tacos happen to be just some of the ways.😅 Here's something that struck me: African researchers made up only 3% of the participants. Of course, there are other policy-focused conferences happening elsewhere, but it's important to mention that the IPPA has grants available that can help amplify y(our) voices at future conferences and workshops. Let’s make sure we're well represented! 🌍📈 The journey might be challenging, but the destination is worth every step. 🚀💡 Onwards and upwards! #Academiclife #PhDjourney #conferencehighlights

The ESRC Celebrating Impact Awards showcased some brilliant ideas on making research count in the policy world. From building training into your research design to speaking "human" these lessons are spot on for anyone working to bridge the research-policy gap. Check out OIT Deputy Head Ben Taylor's reflections and let us know your top tip for driving real policy impact!👇

📢 EFEE is thrilled to announce the publication on its website of the 2025 Work Programme! This comprehensive outline emphasises EFEE's strategic goals, events and activities for the year ahead, designed to amplify the influence of its members and education employers across Europe.   Here's what's in store for 2025: ➡️ Social Dialogue: Strengthening collaboration between education employers and unions through the ESSDE framework, with four key meetings and joint projects.  ➡️ Policy and Advocacy: Shaping education reforms by organising consultations and publishing valuable policy recommendations.  ➡️ Capacity Building: Empowering our members with dedicated projects, events, and networking opportunities spanning across all levels of education. ➡️ European and International Participation: Contributing to European Commission and OECD expert groups, addressing themes such as sustainability, digitalisation, and equity in education. ➡️ Enhanced Partnerships: Expanding collaborations with UNESCO, OECD, and Cedefop to tackle challenges like climate education and vocational training. ➡️ Dissemination and Communication: Sharing knowledge through reports, project outcomes, and timely updates on EU policy initiatives.   🔗 We invite you to explore the full programme and join us on this journey to shape the future of education in Europe! Discover our 2025 Work Programme on our website:  https://lnkd.in/dcrPGeum   🌍📚 #EducationEmployers #PolicyInnovation #EFEE2025

💥New Practitioners´Network Guide Published💥   We are excited to share the Practitioners' Network Guide for Measuring the Impact of #Culture in Development! 🚀 📖   This guide offers a common framework to help European development organisations and partners evaluate the transformative role of culture in #sustainabledevelopment. Developed over two years by KOΛEKTIVA for social innovation and culture, written by Avril Joffe, Lina Kirjazovaite, and Dr. Matina Magkou, this work is the result of collaboration within the Culture and Development Workstream, co-led by AGENCIA ESPAÑOLA DE COOPERACION INTERNACIONAL PARA EL DESARROLLO - AECID, #AICS, and the British Council.   🔍 What’s Inside?   🪜 A critical review of culture’s impact towards sustainable development. ⚙️ Analysis of frameworks and tools by UNESCO, OECD - OCDE, United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) and more. 📊 Learning and Advocacy Indicators for monitoring and evaluation. 👁️🗨️ Shared insights from PN Members incl. AECID, AICS, British Council, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, and Goethe-Institut e.V.. 👉 Read the full guide in the #PN publications section! https://lnkd.in/dhwsuCzh #PNKnowledge #KnowledgeExchange #StrongerTogether #developmentcooperation