Djenane Haitian-American Chamber of Commerce’s Post

Reflecting on Heritage Day: A Celebration of Diversity and Collaboration As we continue to celebrate the rich cultural tapestry of South Africa, let's also reflect on the importance of diversity and collaboration in the business world. Just as our nation's strength lies in its diversity, so too does the success of businesses. By embracing diverse perspectives and fostering collaboration, we can create a more inclusive and innovative environment. How does your company celebrate diversity and foster collaboration in your investor relations efforts? Share your thoughts in the comments below. #HeritageDay #SouthAfrica #Diversity #Collaboration #InvestorRelations

It was great to have the opportunity to discuss RINGO and my book, 'the INGO Problem' at the University of Manchester earlier this week, alongside the ever-inspiring Nana Afadzinu. There was a lot to chew over but one of the things that I was immediately struck by was the fact that students are still learning how to complete Log Frames as a form of accountability (and, I presume, risk management). I'm sure it's being demanded by future employers -- donors or INGOs -- but there are so many other things that they can and should be learning: 1. First, teach them accountability to communities, and how to engage with local people and find out what success looks like for them. 2. Teach them about mutual accountability, as demonstrated in the Pledge for Change PALM model and how INGOs and donors should be reporting downwards, not just local CSOs reporting upwards. https://lnkd.in/eXPNF3xV. 3. Teach them about supporting civil society through core and flexible funding -- not through complicated, cause-and-effect linear log frames based on projects. 4. And teach them about real and proportionate risk sharing and how it's local communities who hold the risk, not the donors, and ask them to devise new ways to negotiate and manage risk, that shift power and recognise where real work is done. I'm sure others experienced in MEAL here will have more to say here! Sadaf S. is the first person who comes to mind.

Imagine you’re planning a large event and trying to secure as much financial support as possible to make the event a success. You’ve also promoted this as an event that wants to center diversity, equity, inclusion and justice. A large corporate sponsor wants to support you - yay! But they’re also a company that is being boycotted in many countries over their complicity in Gaza and have been linked to other scandals in Africa - ah no! You’re stuck in a bind! There’s an argument to say that taking their money and using it for good at your event has a more positive impact than refusing to work with the company on principle. After all, if you can’t afford to have the event - that’s a lost opportunity, right?! As an event designer & inclusion consultant, I completely disagree. Who we work with in our supply chain matters. Who we allow to be present tells our attendees what we believe a lot more than any marketing messages we put out. Over the coming weeks, I’ll post more about bringing an equity and inclusion mindset into your gatherings, but for now, I’m curious to hear from you: do you agree? Or is there a different perspective? 

Today’s notable events remind us of the strength found in unity and resilience. On World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day, we recognise the invaluable contributions these organisations make in promoting humanitarian values worldwide. Their commitment to service and compassion serves as an inspiration to businesses like ours, reminding us of the importance of corporate social responsibility and community engagement. Simultaneously, today marks Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), symbolising the triumph of peace and freedom, and a reminder of the importance of resilience, unity and collective action. In the spirit of these commemorative days, it’s a reminder to utilise business resources make a global impact, reaffirming our own company purpose to positively enriching global communities. 🌐 ✨ #CorporateResponsibility #CommunityEngagement #BusinessImpact 

Happy Global Meetings Industry Day! #GMID is the annual global advocacy day recognizing the significant economic and social value of the business meetings and events industry. The global meetings industry creates hundreds of thousands of jobs, generates billions of dollars of revenue and supports communities around the world. Want to learn the impact of the meetings industry in Canada’s economy? Watch this video! Meetings Mean Business Canada #TimeToMeet #GMID2024

Join us for an important community forum, "A Community Response to the Multicultural Framework Review," where community leaders, experts, and advocates come together to discuss the recently released multicultural framework review and its implications for Australia's diverse communities. This event provides a platform for insightful dialogue and is a unique opportunity for grassroots communities to engage in meaningful conversations and contribute feedback that will be instrumental in shaping future government actions. This forum is a collaborative effort between Myriad Kofkin Global, Polaron Language Services, and meeting participants, dedicated to gathering diverse perspectives and generating actionable insights. Why Attend? Gain insights into the Multicultural Framework Review and its impact. Engage with experts and community leaders in a dynamic discussion. Contribute your voice and ideas to shape a more inclusive future. Network with like-minded individuals passionate about multiculturalism. Whether you're a community leader, policy maker, educator, or an individual interested in multicultural affairs, your participation is invaluable in this pivotal conversation. Together, we can drive change and work towards a more inclusive and equitable society. https://lnkd.in/dxPvpEVZ

Today is the day! Join us at 2:30 pm for our Annual General Meeting at Paul O'Regan Hall at the Central Library. Expect inspiring stories, networking, and a celebration of empowerment. This year's theme highlights the incredible impact of supporting and empowering immigrants in our community. Don't miss out—RSVP here: isans.ca/isans-agm #ISANSAGM2024 #Empowerment"

🌟 Strengthening Australia's Cultural Sector Through Partnerships 🌟 A brand new insight report from A New Approach, Australia's leading national arts and culture think tank. "Intentional and informed efforts to strengthen people’s and organisations’ capacities to work in partnerships using a constructive, purpose-focused approach are essential to securing Australia’s place as a cultural powerhouse." This report demonstrates how partnerships help to ensure that all Australians can access and enjoy cultural and creative experiences, even in these tough times. It explores pathways for effective collaboration to help the cultural sector to evolve, meet future demands and drive social, cultural, and economic benefits now and into the future. Strong partnerships between the cultural sector and governments, community organisations, philanthropic trusts, and businesses deliver many diverse benefits. They matter for cultural and creative value chains as they can produce practical resourcing benefits as well as improved returns on investment and results beyond those that can be achieved by a single entity. They can also foster cooperative behaviour and provide solutions to some of our nation’s biggest challenges. This new report from ANA https://lnkd.in/gVjvimmx presents tools to help partners navigate adversity and elevate collaboration as Australia’s competitive advantage. It is essential reading for those that are new to the cultural sector, those navigating new challenges within this sector, and for those from outside seeking to partner with the sector. #CulturalSector #Partnerships #Collaboration #Australia #CreativeIndustries #ANewApproach

👥 24 interactive workshops 🌍 Three cities: Grenoble, Clermont-Ferrand, and Lyon 🎉 That's a wrap on the training phase of the Resilient Cities program! From March to June 2024, we conducted training sessions for mayors, deputy mayors, elected officials, municipal councillors, mission officers from various departments, and social workers from public and civil society institutions. Thanks to design thinking tools, we addressed vital issues including prejudices against migrants, equality within public policies and institutions, and best practices for integrating newcomers into local democracies while fostering trust. The interactive and collaborative training sessions provided them with new perspectives and tools to fulfill their public roles and responsibilities, fostering a deeper understanding of their potential contributions to their communities. We were also delighted to train 3 cohorts of newcomers from diverse cultural backgrounds and nationalities, such as Syria, Kenya, Colombia, Afghanistan, Congo, and Myanmar residing in the three cities. Participants were equipped with interactive methods to help them develop practical strategies to address community challenges and boost their self-confidence as leaders. The training expanded their grasp of municipal responsibilities, enabling them to participate more confidently in civic life. 🎯 What's next? Both groups of participants will come together in the policy-labs phase where they will work collaboratively to co-create solutions for community challenges within local democracies. 🙏🏾 Thanks to the City Halls of Grenoble-Alpes Métropole, Ville de Clermont-Ferrand, and Ville de Lyon, along with our partners at Maison de Project in Lyon and Forum Réfugié in Clermont-Ferrand, for their contributions! Robert Bosch Stiftung Ismail Alkhateeb Helay R. Shawgi Ahmed Catherine Raad #ResilientCities #InteractiveWorkshops #CommunityLeadership #DesignThinking #InclusivePolicy #LocalDemocracy #CivicEngagement #MunicipalTraining #CommunityBuilding #PublicPolicy #EmpoweringLeaders #Grenoble #ClermontFerrand #Lyon #SocialInnovation #CollaborativeSolutions #CivicParticipation #TrainingPrograms

Honored to join an insightful roundtable with The Hon. Peter Dutton MP, Leader of the Opposition, and Dr Katie Allen to discuss some of the most pressing issues for Australia’s future. Our conversation focused on three key areas: Community resilience: How we can strengthen local support networks and foster resilience in challenging times. Economic confidence: Exploring ways to build stability and growth, and increase employment opportunities. Collaboration: The vital role corporate and not-for-profit organisations can play together in shaping a stronger, more inclusive Australia. It was inspiring to hear different perspectives on how we can collectively contribute to a more prosperous and resilient society. Together, we can make a real impact on our communities and nation. #leadership #community #economicconfidence #collaboration #strongeraustralia