DoDM 2024: Aamir Khan Emphasizes need for People’s Movement at ISDM, Sparks Action & Innovation

Focused on empowering social purpose organisations (SPOs), the conference highlighted the potential of Development Management in driving sustainable and inclusive social change across the country.

The Indian School of Development Management (ISDM) hosted the highly anticipated Dialogues on Development Management (DoDM). The event brought together over 80 changemakers, including thought leaders, policymakers, and civil society practitioners, to discuss strategies for advancing social impact in India. Focused on empowering social purpose organisations (SPOs), the conference highlighted the potential of Development Management in driving sustainable and inclusive social change across the country.

A Platform for Thought Leadership and Collaboration

The DoDM 2024 featured an impressive line-up of thought-provoking plenary sessions, with esteemed speakers such as Pramath Raj Sinha, Founder of Ashoka University; Dr. Shamika Ravi, Member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister; Dr R Balasubramanium, Member of HR-Capacity Commission; and Rekha Koita, Director of the Koita Foundation, among others. These experts engaged in dynamic discussions focused on fostering resilience and building long-term impact within social purpose organisations.

Aamir Khan: A People’s Movement is Key to Solving Social Issues

Aamir Khan, actor and Co-founder of the Paani Foundation, delivered a compelling address on the significance of community-driven development. Khan emphasized that to solve large-scale issues like water scarcity, collective action is necessary. "The youth of today care deeply about social issues. They are also more motivated to take action. Problems plaguing our country – like water scarcity – need collective action. When you are trying to solve at scale, then you have to work at scale and for that you have to make it a people's movement," said Khan, stressing that no government or authority can solve such issues alone.

His powerful message highlighted the importance of empowering local communities and making social change a collective effort that involves all citizens, especially the youth.

India’s Economic Growth and the Urgency of Development Management

Ravi Sreedharan, Co-founder and President of ISDM, shared his insights on India’s economic trajectory and the need to focus on the effective management of development work. “India’s projected economic growth of over 6% annually for the next couple of decades offers a rare opportunity to uplift millions of Indians from poverty. Achieving this requires a huge focus on Management of Development work; failing which we could lose this opportunity of a millennium,” he stated. He further emphasized that the ISDM has been preparing to build the cadre of development management professionals who will drive this change.

The Need for Scalable and Data-Driven Solutions

Amit Chandra, Co-founder of the ATE Chandra Foundation, also addressed the need for scalable solutions within the social sector. He urged the sector to change gears and for philanthropy to adopt bold and strategic approaches. "Given how much experience exists in the sector and enhanced wealth management, the time is right in India for big bets that take on sticky issues,” Chandra remarked, pointing out that now is the time for high-impact solutions that tackle the country's most pressing challenges.

Launch of Key Reports and Initiatives

The conference also witnessed the launch of several pivotal reports and initiatives aimed at transforming the social sector:

- Catalysing Good Governance & Accountability Systems: Supported by the Ford Foundation, this initiative focuses on enhancing governance and accountability in social purpose organisations (SPOs) to foster long-term sustainability. The Decoding Good Governance report, based on insights from 234 SPOs, sheds light on challenges and offers recommendations for improving governance in India’s social sector.

- Effective Philanthropy through an Inclusive Development Lens: ISDM’s Centre for Philanthropy for Inclusive Development unveiled the 6-Point PID Framework, which promotes support for marginalized communities and emphasizes trust-building, community involvement, and flexible funding for impactful philanthropy.

- Data Stories: The Centre for Data Science and Social Impact (CDSSI) presented a graphic novel featuring stories of how SPOs use data to drive efficiency and create measurable change in their communities, showcasing the power of data-driven decision-making in the social sector.

- Outcomes Readiness Framework: The Outcomes Readiness Framework, launched by ISDM’s Centre for Innovative Finance and Social Impact, will serve as a tool to design a public good for non-profits in India, helping them prepare for and achieve their desired outcomes.

A Transformative Event for the Future of Social Development

The DoDM 2024 concluded with an atmosphere of optimism and energy, with participants leaving inspired and equipped to address India’s most complex development challenges. The event underscored the importance of collaborative, data-driven, and scalable approaches to social impact, with a focus on creating systemic change through the concerted efforts of SPOs, government, and business.

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