Right in the heart of Gotha and Jena, Germany, something amazing happened this July 2023 – the Global Solvers Co-Lab. It was all about people coming together to make a difference. Let us introduce you to some of the incredible folks who made it happen: "We believe in the magic of collaboration!"
A large gathering of young, energetic and passionate Sustainable Development advocates came together at the 5th African Youth SDG Summit in Lusaka, Zambia from 14th - 17th August 2023 under the theme “ Attaining the SDGs through Youth Innovation and Financing for Inclusive Development in Africa”. More than 500 African youth from all over the continent with a strong ambition for a better Africa representing multiple and diverse organizations, agencies and civil societies working on various solutions to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals across Africa.
The Melton Foundation was represented by its delegates from the Accra Hub along with the Hub Coordinator and fellows to engage in meaningful conversations, network, and share what the Melton Foundation does, as well as to conduct a workshop on “Fostering Youth Driven-Innovation and Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Development in Africa”.
Empowering Minds, Igniting Change, and Cultivating Connections! In a dynamic and vibrant city like Bengaluru, where innovation meets tradition, our recently concluded Bengaluru Hub Visit marked a significant milestone for the Melton Foundation. From networking dinners to panel discussions, the visit was a whirlwind of inspiration and collaboration, all centered around the common goal of creating a better, greener future.
The recently concluded and pioneer initiative, the 'Global Citizenship Challenge 2023', has left us inspired and hopeful for a brighter future. This unique competition brought together change-makers from around the world to showcase their 'Acts of Global Citizenship', highlighting their efforts in making a positive impact within their communities. With the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as their compass, over 165 passionate individuals from 20+ countries embarked on a journey to transform the world through their innovative solutions and collaborative action.
As we bid farewell to the month of June, the Melton Foundation stands united with our global community of Melton Fellows in celebrating Pride Month. This annual observance serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for equality, justice, and representation for the LGBTQ+ community. From a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) perspective, we acknowledge the importance of creating a world where every individual is accepted and valued, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. We reflect on the significance of Pride Month, and encourage continued support for the advancement of LGBTQ+ rights.
Grateful for an inspiring day at TEDxBangalore, with Melton Fellows Harsha M Krishna, Tryphine Clara Dzimbanete, Sartaj Anand, and Program Director Sonali Keshwa Murti, where we explored the power of Safe Spaces that extend beyond the physical and digital realms. From mental well-being to environmental sustainability, these spaces are vital for our collective growth. Today, we witness them shrinking faster than ever before, but together, we can make a difference. Let's join hands and embrace Ideas Worth Spreading to create a better Bangalore! We also spent time embracing tranquility and creativity at Trayah Pottery with Melton Fellows Tryphine Clara Dzimbanete, Arun Josephraj, Shravani Vangur, and Palak A., from Bengaluru!
Melton Foundation has pursued an agenda of sustainable development impact in Accra since 2014, setting out on a mission to develop a Hub presence as an approach to covening and connecting hub-based actors around the Sustainable Development Goals and youth empowerment.
The establishment of Melton Foundation Africa is among the first steps to achieving this vision. Melton Foundation Africa was launched officially in Accra, Ghana at an official launch ceremony on Saturday, 25th March 2023 at the iSpace Foundation. The program was attended by invited partners, collaborators and guests with representation from the Ashesi University, Melton Foundation Board of Directors, Melton Foundation Senior and Junior Fellows, as well as representatives from existing and potential partners.
The year 2022 marked the mid-way point of the Melton Foundation’s Strategic Plan 2020 – 2025. For the last three years, the foundation has been aiming to amplify and document its impact, increase access and visibility, align organizational structures, and work towards a positive budget. In turn, our programs and activities, our approach to partnerships, and our internal structures and processes have seen tremendous progress and development. Having seen this evolution, 2022 was an opportune time for looking back, analyzing if the ideas we had sown in 2019 have let us reap the desired harvest, and deciding our focus for the remainder of the strategy. We thus overhauled our Monitoring and Evaluation framework to provide us with the information we need for future decision-making, we developed an overarching framework of Global Citizenship to guide our educational programs, and we took a detailed look at everything that has been tested and piloted in previous years to see what we have learned. 2023 will be dedicated to using this learning in creating one coherent vision - for our work, our foundation, and for the impact we create.
We're very happy to be celebrating Women's History Month: A Global Celebration of Women's Achievements, and a time to Reflect and Inspire!
March is Women's History Month, a time when we come together to honor and recognize the achievements and contributions of women from around the world. This year, the Melton Foundation joins the global celebration under the theme "Valiant Women of the Vote: Refusing to be Silenced," paying tribute to the courageous women who fought for suffrage and the right to vote in their countries.
The Melton Foundation's ongoing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts aim to continuously create more inclusive and equitable spaces for all our stakeholders, regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, and other personal characteristics. It is thanks to our community which aims to consistently challenge themselves to expand the definition of DEI, that there is explicit and intentional incorporation of accessibility and belonging to our DEI efforts (DEIAB).
