Ashoka 2016 views

The world has always known change, but the change we see today is transforming the way we live, work, and interact at a rate and scale never seen before. Technologies have lowered barriers to participation so that everyone can contribute and act collectively more than ever before. As a result, we are living in a truly historic moment where anyone can create positive change.Now is the moment to ensure that everyone knows they can change the world for the better, and does so. We want to live in a world where every young person grows up to become an adult changemaker, capable of taking creative action to solve a social problem; a world where the development of young changemakers and the practice of changemaking are the norm.HOW WE WORKOur vision and understanding of the world comes from Ashoka’s experience in pioneering the field of social entrepreneurship over the last 35 years—finding, selecting, and supporting the world’s leading social entrepreneurs (Ashoka Fellows). The network of more than 3,300 Ashoka Fellows is implementing system-changing solutions to human and environmental problems in 93 countries.Our work with Ashoka Fellows helps us see patterns of social development across various fields, providing key levers and a new framework for living in the world as a changemaker. We help people see the world differently so they can do differently, fully participating in the new environment. For example, Ashoka is building and activating networks to create fundamental changes in the growing up experience of children and young people so that everyone can become a changemaker.WHAT WE DOThe ideas of Ashoka Fellows today will point to the areas for greatest collective impact tomorrow. We are investing in the people and patterns of collaborative entrepreneurship that are necessary in an everyone a changemaker world.Our current investments seek to shape a world where:Leading social entrepreneurs access the the resources they need to thrive and spread their systems-changing innovations Every child grows up practicing empathy Every young person is practicing the skills of empathy, new leadership, teamwork, and changemaking Society organizes as a fluid, open team-of-teams