Skoll Awardee Marc Freedman‘s Harvard Business Review piece on “Outsourcing the Old Folks” discusses what the film The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel might mean for redefining later life:

“But for all its uplift, the really hopeful lesson from Marigold is simply that it got made — and that it is not alone.A small but expanding cluster of new movies is starting to grapple with the experience of millions of baby boomers entering uncharted territory in the years between midlife and anything resembling true old age, inhabiting what could be termed the oxymoronic years (its denizens labeled the young-old and the working-retired). Isabella Rossellini, the soon to be 60-year-old co-star of Late Bloomers, another film dealing with the challenges of moving beyond midlife, recently stated in an interview that, ‘There is a not a real place for people between 60 and 80.’”

Read the rest: http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2012/05/outsourcing_the_old_folks.html

The idea was appealing from the start:  convene a group of older but far from doddering global leaders, women and men justly renowned for their integrity and achievement, and ask them to serve as tribal elders for a world in need of their moral clarity and sensible savvy.  In 2007, Nelson Mandela took up the charge. With the help of musician Peter Gabriel and entrepreneur Richard Branson, he persuaded 10 exemplary human beings to join the founding body that has become The Elders.

Grand visions like this get the blood flowing. They stoke our belief that peace is possible and a more equitable, sustainable world within reach. But for such visions to take root, they must be grounded in strategy and nourished by action. In 2008, The Elders found the partner they needed to do just that in CEO Mabel van Oranje.

Over the past four years, Jeff and I have seen, first-hand as members of The Elders’ Advisory Council, this bold and beautiful vision brought to life.  Elders’ missions to some of the most bitterly contested places on earth—Sudan, the DPRK and South Korea, Israel and the West Bank, Zimbabwe, Cyprus and others—have shown how to navigate mine-fields; by spurring dialogue, comforting the afflicted and speaking truth to power, Elders have proven again and again that peace has a fighting chance.  But missions like these don’t just happen; thanks to Mabel and her team, they were impeccably planned and superbly executed.  And even more critical, follow-up continues.

Elders have also taken positions and made statements on climate change and injustice, but on no issue have they been more outspoken and committed than that of women’s rights.  In December, 2008, at the organization’s meeting in Paris, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter inspired his fellow Elders to challenge head-on the role of religious and traditional practice in oppressing women.

The following year, when The Elders met in Johannesburg, Mabel and her team  invited tribal chiefs,  religious leaders, women’s rights champions, and experts in the field to join them.  During a special session, deftly chaired by Elders Graca Machel and Gro Brundtland, an opportunity emerged:  to use The Elders’ convening power to  form an alliance focused on child marriage,  all too commonly sanctioned by religion, reinforced by poverty, and sustained by tradition.  Today, thanks to Mabel’s and the Elders’  steadfast leadership, the  Girls Not Brides alliance has more than 120 members from 30 countries, and is on its way to ridding the world of a devastating wrong.

Heading to the spring 2012 meeting of The Elders in Oslo, I knew the organization would be hard-pressed to get through its heavy agenda. But next steps on Sudan and South Sudan, Israel and Palestine, the Korean peninsula, women’s rights, child marriage and the budget weren’t the only things on my mind. I also knew how tough this meeting would be for Mabel.

In February, Mabel’s husband, Prince Friso van Oranje,  was caught in an avalanche; he remains hospitalized, and  the timeframe and chances for his recovery are uncertain.  How on earth would she manage the meeting? How would the Elders? The rest of us.

On Monday afternoon, the meeting’s first day, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, our beloved chair, convened a joint session of the Elders and Advisory Council. “My dear friends,” he began, his voice steady, but solemn, “what we’ve all feared has come to pass. Mabel has resigned her position as our CEO.”  I fought tears, unsuccessfully, as did others.  Was this the right decision for Mabel, for the organization? I’d been hopeful we would be able to give her time and space, but Mabel being Mabel—she simply could not reconcile her responsibilities as CEO with the all-consuming reality of her changed life,  her husband’s condition, their daughters’ well-being.

Wise in the ways of the human heart, Archbishop Tutu knew we were all reeling,  even with the consolation of Mabel’s continued engagement over the months ahead as  “senior advisor.” “We need a little ceremony,” he said, and then he asked me if I’d speak on behalf of the Advisory Council.  Later,  during an Advisors’  session, I asked everyone to contribute—and the love and respect, images and memories, poured out.  I took notes, circled words, added a few phrases and hoped for the best.

It was one of the great honors of my life, to speak for us all, about and to a woman whose leadership has been vital to the small miracle that is the Elders.  Motivated by the power of the Elders’ vision, Mabel has succeeded in making sure the organization carries out real work, work that makes a difference where it matters most, as she likes to say, “on the ground.”  Her integrity, tireless dedication and spirited belief in the power of good people to make a difference have been a gift—to all of us, and to the cause of building a more just and peaceful world.

(Photos by Jeff Moore, The Elders)

May 15, 2012 – Palo Alto – The Skoll Foundation today announced the merging of Social Edge and Skoll World Forum into a new year-round platform, Skoll World Forum Online:

In the last decade the Social Edge Community and its social entrepreneurs have together built a rich and trusted online community dedicated to changing business as usual. Their discussions around promising solutions, barriers to change, scale, metrics, and more, have contributed indelible value to the evolving social sector.

The Skoll World Forum on Social Entrepreneurship, a program of the Skoll Foundation, has evolved too. It is now the premiere international platform for social entrepreneurship; we just convened our 9th annual event. And we couldn’t be prouder that both Social Edge and the Forum continue to attract the best and the brightest thinkers and doers committed to global social change.

Today, we are particularly excited to announce that we will now be combining these two powerful communities to create something new – Skoll World Forum Online: a year-round digital platform centered on content, community, and collaboration.

The Skoll Foundation, since 1999, has invested, connected and celebrated the world’s leading social entrepreneurs. Our aim is to amplify progress and scale impact. Over the years, the needs of these social entrepreneurs—and indeed the Social Edge community—have expanded, and the demands for more cross-sector dialogue, exchange and collaboration across sectors and geographies have become clear. Skoll World Forum Online hopes to address these gaps in knowledge and connection by offering an even more robust experience of content and community.

Skoll World Forum Online will advance critical, cross-sector conversations, curate insightful and inspiring content, elevate the reach and scope of our audience worldwide, and deploy community-minded features to encourage connection and collaboration. We would like to express our deep gratitude to Victor d’Allant and Jason Clark for their work and stewardship, in building Social Edge into a meaningful voice for social entrepreneurship.

Now, onward! After Social Edge stops publishing on June 1st, we expect a beta version of the new online platform in early fall 2012, and will update the community at key milestones of progress throughout the summer.

Thank you for your support,
Sally Osberg

Hilton Worldwide just announced a three-year partnership with Skoll Awardee Room to Read.

Here’s more, from the press release: The partnership supports Room to Read’s holistic approach to literacy and girls’ education in South and Southeast Asia — aiming to reach more than 2,000 young people in the first phase of the program — and it solidifies Hilton Worldwide as the organization’s leading hospitality partner in India. Hilton Worldwide will leverage its hotels across Asia Pacific to engage team members, guests and business partners in its work with Room to Read. In May, Hilton Worldwide will also support Room to Read’s annual spring fundraising campaign promoting the Girls’ Education program by matching donations up to US$150,000 beginning today through May 31.

“Room to Read is thrilled to partner with Hilton Worldwide to ensure that young people in South and Southeast Asia have equal access to education. It is a pleasure to work with a global company that is committed to investing in the enrichment of the local communities where it does business,” said Erin Ganju, Room to Read CEO and Co-founder.

Hilton Worldwide’s support of Room to Read began this past January in India. To date, funding is supporting the establishment of 30 new school libraries over the next three years, the initial participation of more than 75 girls in the Girls’ Education program and the publication of six original, local language children’s books over the next three years and distributed to Room to Read’s network of libraries and NGO partners throughout India.

Learn more: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/hilton-worldwide-partners-with-room-to-read-to-empower-and-educate-young-people-in-south-and-southeast-asia-2012-05-08

American Mother’s Day is Sunday, and several Skoll Awardees are commemorating the date by allowing you to send e-cards to your moms, or donations in their name. All while raising awareness about their causes. Here are a few. Water.org even has a video just for the occasion, above, featuring Jodie Foster and Matt Damon.

From water.org: “Honor your mom with an eCard this Mother’s Day; your gift will honor another woman with safe water.”  https://water.org/honor/render/

From Kiva: “Forget that Sunday is Mother’s Day? Have no fear, Kiva cards are here!”

From Partners in Health: “Honor your mom or loved one with a donation to Partners In Health to help make motherhood safe for women in poor countries around the world.” https://donate.pih.org/page/contribute/mothers-day-2012?utm_source=PIH&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MothersDayAsk20120508_email&source=MothersDayAsk20120508_email

From mothers2mothers:

“$50 means one mother can be reached with life-saving care. This Mother’s Day, honor your special mother by making a donation to mothers across Africa. Your mother gave the gift of life, so can you.” https://npo1.networkforgood.org/Donate/Donate.aspx?npoSubscriptionId=1001246&code=Mother%27s%20Day%202012

When I watched this segment that aired last night, I understood more deeply the challenges social entrepreneurs face every day. Sebastien Marot, featured on PBSNewshour for his work in Cambodia, helps poor children who might otherwise spend a life of selling flowers on the street. Through his restaurants, where they can learn culinary skills and have gainful employment, we see glimmers of hope. But sadly, we also see the drugs, which are sucking the life out of many of the country’s street children. Marot also discusses his funding challenges, and his work in other countries. Watch the entire segment above, and other social entrepreneur PBS NewsHour pieces at http://www.pbs.org/newshour/news/social-entrepreneurs/

For even more news about Friends International, check out this new TV piece from KSL 5 in Utah: http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=19837297&title=friends-international-keeps-cambodian-kids-off-streets&s_cid=queue-23 

Mothers2mothers invites you to stand tall with us this Mother’s Day as we take an unprecedented step towards eliminating pediatric AIDS by 2015 and saving mothers.

Along with our colleagues at the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF), we’ll make history in the House Triangle outside the Capitol as Representatives Trent Franks, R-AZ, Barbara Lee, D-CA, and James McDermott, D-WA announce a new bipartisan House resolution: “Recognizing the Potential for the Virtual Elimination of Pediatric HIV and AIDS and Keeping HIV Positive Mothers Alive.”

The event is scheduled to begin Thursday, May 10th at 1:00PM.  RSVP to lily@us.m2m.org or call 323-969-0445.

If you are unable to join us at the press conference, here are three easy ways you can help.

1. Encourage your Congressman to sign on to the House Resolution.

2. Donate to mothers2mothers.

3. Spread the word through Twitter and Facebook.

There’s a beautiful three-page article on Tostan and Barefoot College and their partnership in the May 2012 Belgian version of Elle.

The Headline says, “Formed at Barefoot College: The Electricity Fairy.”

And the Intro says, “A Senegalese mother who has never been to school can become a leader or respected engineer and the head of solar panels of her village? Two organizations have taken up the challenge.”

Unfortunately, it’s only in their print edition, but here is a glimpse of it.

What do a pop star and a social entrepreneur have in common? More than we might think, apparently. We’re thrilled that Skoll Awardee John Wood of Room to Read (above, right) was just awarded the lifetime achievement award at the Tribeca Disruptive Innovation Awards. Recognized for his work with Room to Read, Wood accepted the hammer-shaped award alongside fellow honorees Jack Dorsey of Twitter, actor Ed Burns (above, far left) and yes, Bieber. Bieber and his talent manager were honored for “the historic discovery of Bieber on YouTube and his subsequent rise to fame via social media.”

The third annual Tribeca Disruptive Innovation Awards, hosted at NYU Stern, honored several leading disruptive innovators who have impacted the worlds of business, technology, arts and entertainment. See more photos from the night: http://www.stern.nyu.edu/experience-stern/news-events/events/2012-disruptive-innovation

I love when the press shares with the world firsthand about how Skoll awardees are changing the world. Two recent stories did just that with Citizen Schools. The first piece, a radio story on WNYC that also ran on the New York Times’  site, goes into the Bronx Academy. It shows how Citizen Schools’ after-school program is pairing volunteers who know about budgeting and marketing. Students will make final presentations to their mentors and teachers when the 10-week program, whichalso offers homework help and tutoring, is over. Nitzan Pelman, executive director of Citizen Schools New York, says the goal is to give kids from low-income communities the same opportunities as students in wealthy ones. Listen to the story above.

In other Citizen Schools news, executive director of California Joe Ross is profiled. “It’s a far cry from Ross’s previous jobs in military intelligence and as a corporate chief of staff,” writes Fast Company, “but it’s a mission with a personal meaning, and a call to duty hes been well prepared for.”

Read more here: http://www.fastcompany.com/1834598/what-training-south-american-navies-taught-joe-ross-about-training-new-teachers