One Young World ambassadors promote economic sustainability
Just over a year ago the 10th anniversary summit of One Young World (OYW) took place in London, where leaders from around the world gathered to develop solutions to the globe’s most pressing issues. Since attending the OYW summit, the ten delegates sent by LBS have developed their own initiatives, with the aim of bringing about positive change in their community and beyond.
After looking at the great projects undertaken by Nikita Dhesikan, Ana Dju, Prasannajeet Mane and Funmilola Awosanya in June, our attention turns to the recent work of Aseem Jain and Nomqhele Siziba.
Aseem Jain, MiM 2020
Having come away from OYW 2019 inspired to make a difference to people’s lives, Aseem has worked on Project Aasha, a student led programme led by Ms. Fanni Szente & Mr. Emil Kichukov under the umbrella of LBS’s experiential learning. The initiative supports local businesses with an aim to generate social impact in India.
Along with fellow LBS colleagues Dhruva Patodia (MiM 2020), Yifei Yu (MAM 2020), and Bogdan Polovinko (MFA 2020), and the wider Aasha team, the project has been giving business advice to organisations in India seeking to promote social change and local sustainability. Their most recent endeavour involved a partnership with Tanzeb, an organisation supporting female artisans skilled in the craft of 'Chikankari’, in Bengaluru, Southern India. Tanzeb produces high-quality men’s and women’s apparel with authentic Chikankari, a form of hand-craft work, and aims to keep Indian culture and craft alive by using the old techniques in contemporary form to make sustainable products.
Aseem and the team designed a strategy to respond effectively to the issues caused by COVID-19 and develop a long-run strategy to ensure consistent sales. The 10-week project was divided into three main stages, with stage one including a high-level analysis of the COVID situation and how it has impacted Tanzeb. Phases two and three involved the conducting of a survey and separate study on product, profitability, mode of distribution, customer segmentation along with potential short-run and long-run recommendations.
On top of Project Aasha, Aseem plans to resume his work with the Ahaar Foundation, an NGO setup focusing on food provision for people in the Delhi region. His goal is to eventually set up educational facilities to schools in Northern India, and plans to expand operations to three cities when the pandemic comes to an end.
Nomqhele Siziba, Executive Director, Youth Invest
Nomqhele’s OYW project ‘Promoting Rural Tourism Entrepreneurship’ (PRTE) aims to help young entrepreneurs in the economic development of the Victoria Falls tourism sector. Her initiative was set up within her ‘Youth Invest’ platform which supports and develops young people in Zimbabwe by facilitating entrepreneurial participation in their local economy. Through various training projects and support networks, Youth Invest stimulates the economic success of young Zimbabweans.
PRTE is supported by the United States Embassy in Harare, Zimbabwe, and so far has 97 direct beneficiaries, promoting economic stability for young entrepreneurs engaged in the Victoria Falls curio industry through capacity development, enhanced networking opportunities and improving access to markets. The Youth Invest vision is to give the community a platform to utilise the skills to make functional and ornamental curios which can then be sold on collectively from their hub.
Youth Invest champions a programme called Siyazenzela Arts, Crafts and Village Tours Hub to help empower the Chidobe and Kachechete wards, outside Victoria Falls. The initiative allows for better connectivity between local sellers and tourists so that local communities can generate greater incomes and grow organically. Nomqhele has also hosted three skill development workshops including classes on tour guide and story telling, digital marketing, and financial literacy.
For more information on One Young World, visit www.oneyoungworld.com
