Co-Lab Chronicles

What Ghana Taught Me About Social Change When I travelled to Accra, Ghana, for the Global Solvers Accelerator (GSA) Co-Lab, I thought I was travelling to another country to learn, meet people and exchange ideas about social change. I returned with something much harder to put into a presentation or a report. I returned with friendships, questions, laughter, difficult conversations and a feeling of connection with a continent that seemed strangely familiar, even though it was my first time experiencing it this way.There is something powerful about travelling to a place you have only known through stories, maps and other people's...

Continue reading

Read More

Reflections From the Co-Lab

What Ghana Taught Me About Social Change In July 2026, I had the opportunity to travel to Accra, Ghana, to take part in the Global Solvers Co-Lab, the week-long in-person component of the Melton Foundation’s Global Solvers Accelerator. The program brings together emerging social impact leaders from around the world to strengthen their leadership, refine their projects, exchange knowledge, and explore how collective action can contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals. For me, however, the Co-Lab became much more than a professional learning experience. It was an opportunity to listen, question, connect, and reflect on what it truly means to work...

Continue reading

Read More

Stitched with Purpose

There is a bag sitting on a table somewhere in Accra right now. It was made by hand, stitch by careful stitch, by a woman in the West Bank of Palestine. She made it at home, between the school run and dinner, between one responsibility and the next. She never met the person who would carry it. She may never know that it travelled across two continents to become part of a gathering of young global leaders. But she made it with full attention, full skill, and something that I can only describe as insistence: the insistence that what she produces...

Continue reading

Read More

From Fellowship to Leadership: A Life of Public Service and Global Connection

In a recent conversation, the Melton Foundation Executive Office connected with Carlos Rilling Tenorio, Senior Melton Fellow and Executive Director in the Office of the President at the University of Chile. A lifelong champion of social equity and global citizenship, Carlos leads strategic initiatives in university governance, institutional planning, and international cooperation.His impact extends beyond national borders. He represented the University of Chile in the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) and was selected for the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), the U.S. Department of State’s premier professional exchange program. Whether contributing to Chile’s 2023 constitutional process or fostering global...

Continue reading

Read More

Redefining Period Talk: Empowering Girls Through Knowledge and Empathy

In India, where menstruation is still considered a taboo subject in many households, young girls often enter puberty with incomplete, incorrect, or harmful information. For many, the onset of menstruation marks not only a biological change but a sudden onset of shame, stigma, and silence. According to a 2022 report by UNICEF, 1 in 5 girls in India drops out of school after getting her period, and a further 71% are unaware of menstruation until their first cycle (UNICEF, 2022).Mental health, already a fragile subject in the broader education system is seldom part of the menstrual conversation. And yet, the...

Continue reading

Read More

Scaling Deep: A Systems Approach to Social Impact Leadership

In today’s rapidly evolving world, leadership in the social impact space is undergoing a profound transformation. A 2017 study by FSG and the Collective Impact Forum found that over 80% of successful social change efforts involve cross-sector collaboration and shared leadership structures. Moreover, systems thinking, empathy, and the ability to work across differences are emerging as the most critical competencies for 21st-century changemakers. In this reality, leadership is no longer about commanding from the front; it's about asking better questions, facilitating dialogue, and enabling sustainable, community-led transformation.Peter Mukuka, Founder and CEO of Men of Honour, embodies this shift. His organization...

Continue reading

Read More

Decoding the Indian General Elections: Insights from Melton Café

From the beginning, the Melton Cafe Session was based on the fundamental idea of inclusivity. This focus on establishing a secure and welcoming environment went beyond simple rules; it was a cornerstone that fostered an environment that supported meaningful and respectful discussions. Encouraged to freely and respectfully share, the fellows added to a rich tapestry of viewpoints that represented the variety of their experiences and backgrounds. The recent Melton Café session provided a profound exploration into the recently concluded Indian General Elections. The session featured insightful perspectives that dissected the complexities and nuances of India’s political landscape. The conversation was rich,...

Continue reading

Read More

Fostering Empathy and Understanding: Highlights from our ‘Melton Meet-up Café’ 2024

We recently hosted a virtual Melton Meet-up Café session, bringing together 47 Melton Fellows from around the world. The session, held on May 19th, 2024, is the start of many, focused on fostering open dialogue, empathy, and understanding, particularly in discussing humanitarian issues, resonating with Melton Fellows.The session began with a warm welcome to all attendees, emphasizing the importance of empathy in understanding complex humanitarian challenges. Our facilitator then provided background information on the ongoing humanitarian challenges faced by Palestinians, highlighting the urgency of finding compassionate solutions.Attendees were encouraged to share their personal experiences or insights related to the issue,...

Continue reading

Read More

Empowering Women Through Poultry Farming

Witnessing the growth and resilience of these women has been deeply inspiring. As they tended to their flocks with care and dedication, I saw their confidence soar. No longer confined by the limitations imposed by their circumstances, they emerged as entrepreneurs, capable of shaping their own destinies. The impact extended beyond economic empowerment; it permeated every aspect of their lives, instilling a newfound sense of agency and pride. As a global citizen, this experience has reaffirmed my belief in the power of grassroots initiatives to drive meaningful change. It has underscored the importance of supporting local communities in their efforts to...

Continue reading

Read More

Empowering Youth Through Science: A Collaborative Initiative in Chile

Collaborative Efforts:The success of this endeavor owes much to the collaborative efforts of various institutions. The Department of Morphological Sciences and the Biomedicine and Translational Research Laboratory at the University of La Frontera (UFRO), along with the Law Department at UFRO, played pivotal roles in providing expertise and support. Additionally, Bicentennial High School Padre Nicolás de Vilcún in Chile served as a vital partner, facilitating direct engagement with the students.Empowering Rural Youth:The project's impact reverberates beyond the confines of the classroom, reaching deep into rural communities where opportunities for scientific exploration are often limited. Through extensive conversations with educators and...

Continue reading

Read More

Together, the Africa we want is within our reach

Key Takeaways and Top Insights from the Main Summit Plenary:From the panel discussion sessions and conversations that the delegates had in the four days of the summit, they had the following insights.As the current and future custodians of our planet, youths stand to lose the most if the challenges facing Africa remain unabated amidst the multifaceted nature of most of them like climate disasters.Recognizing and providing assistance to marginalized young individuals who actively contribute to SDG attainment. Doing so acknowledges their invaluable efforts in overcoming adversity while driving positive change in their communities and ensures that their potential is maximized...

Continue reading

Read More

Stories across Boundaries: The Global Storytelling Festival 2021

The festival comprised of three events. It started with the mini-story contest that asked participants to submit stories that spoke about intercultural commonality and bridged inherent differences. The second was the impact storytelling workshop 101 which educated participants in the art of storytelling and the festival ended with a showcase that featured celebrated speakers and storytellers.Impact Storytelling 101 Workshop -  Demystifying the Art of StorytellingThe Impact Storytelling 101 Workshop was conducted on the 14th of August 2021. This hands-on workshop helped participants understand the importance of creating an effective narrative and taught them the necessary skills, tools, and processes needed...

Continue reading

Read More