John Hoffmire
The beacon of development often conjures up images of radical innovations, disruptive models, and leapfrog technologies. And yet, as nations attempt to embrace the promises of development, there is often a disconnect between imagination and execution in providing for even the most basic of human needs. Measurable social change, ensuring a degree of social equity and fundamental provisions, is critical in securing any significant socio-economic transformation. Pervasive deprivations and glaring inequities create a corrosive burden on our societies – violating our sensibilities and fomenting adversity.
This makes the decision of the CRISP (Chevening Rolls-Royce Innovation and Science Program) scholars to set up CRISP Social Ventures India (“CSVI”) all the more heartening. In addition to the CRISP cohorts of scholars, the venture draws upon the collaborative energies of a range players in India and the UK – organizers and those who teach. It has been my privilege to teach and/or select the scholars in eight of the nine years the program has run.
To catalyse social innovation initiatives, CSVI extends mentoring to help grow ventures with manifest social impact and incubates innovative ideas that can address critical social needs. With the overarching ambition of promoting substantive social development in India, CSVI aims to develop a wide range of sectors to benefit marginalized communities in tangible ways.
CRISP, originally supported by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and Rolls-Royce, is a custom executive education program for high-flying mid-career Indian professionals on the cusp of transition towards top leadership positions. With a customized 10 week-long approach developed by St Cross College, University of Oxford, the CRISP program each year draws a group of exceptional professionals. The eclectic group usually has an even mix of government officials, public and private sector employees, academicians, and entrepreneurs. During their tenure of intense immersion in the corridors of the University of Oxford, the exceptional participants explore innovation and science policy from an academic, practical and personal perspective.
The thought-provoking learning environment, along with fruitful idea exchanges, aligns the energies and socially sensitised inclinations of the CRISP scholars. Through CSVI, the CRISP scholars seek to marshal resources and galvanise actions to transform the social landscape. Realising that the highway of economic growth and social advance cannot skirt the imperatives of ensuring basic social amenities and pragmatic, sustainable solutions at scale, CSVI is currently gearing up to support another four projects.
Clearly, the scale of challenges that the CRISP scholars have taken upon their shoulders requires navigating multiple terrains, institutions, political equations, and prevailing social codes. However, the ‘Chevening’ qualities – ambition, drive, and leadership potential, a commitment to change and organisational development, and a talent for innovation and creativity – primed by the learning and support of the CRISP program, equip them to successfully execute upon their ambitions.
Pankaj Upadhyay wrote much of this piece.
We either write our own articles or curate others’ work, posting two or three new articles per day, at our online periodical www.progressdaily.com. Please visit often.
