In this segment, we spotlight The CSR Universe’s interview with Natasha Joshi (Associate Director, RNP), who shares her thoughts on the role played by philanthropies in supporting initiatives that strengthen the capacity for listening, foster mutual understanding through dialogic methods, and drive meaningful, high-impact outcomes for everyone.
For those interested in reading the full piece, please refer to the original source.
In an era where systemic change is crucial for sustainable development, a collaborative project between NALSAR University and Kshetra Foundation aims to build community capacity to address conflict resolution and foster self-governance. This initiative, formalized through a 5-year Memorandum of Understanding, seeks to empower local communities by equipping them with skills for conflict transformation and collaborative problem-solving. It focuses on empowering paralegal volunteers, anganwadi teachers, self-help groups (SHGs), and community leaders through NALSAR’s academic support and Kshetra’s expertise in the Dialogic Method. The method, known for its effectiveness in fostering dialogue and empathy, aims to create a ripple effect of positive change within communities. The project is being supported by Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies.
In this interview with TheCSRUniverse, leaders from all three organisations- Kshetra Foundation, NALSAR University and Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies share their insights and expectations from the project. We get to know about the strengths of each organisation and how they are collaborating to bring their collective vision to the ground.
Ms. Natasha Joshi, Associate Director of Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies
Q. What motivated Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies to support this collaborative project between NALSAR and Kshetra Foundation- what were the stand-out factors that led you to choose this initiative among others?
A. Kshetra’s dialogic method is aimed at fostering in society a deeper capacity for listening, building understandings and arriving at high value outcomes for all. Colleges and universities are a wonderful place to anchor such work given young people have in them a built-in capacity for change and learning. As young citizens, and studying law at that, these students can usher a future in which conflict is constructively engaged with and dialogue becomes the natural process for resolving disagreements.
Q. What are the key areas of focus for Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies and how does this project align with the broader strategic goals of the organisation?
A. Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies supports organisations working on wicked social problems. From addressing the climate crisis, to looking at changing gender norms, RNP strives to address root causes keeping problems in place. Complex problems need to be engaged with creatively, and empathetically, and both these capacities are a foundational part of what the dialogic method trains one in.
Q. Your organisation has entered into long term collaborations with other academic and research institutions as well (e.g. NIMHANS, NCBS, etc). Why do you think it is relevant to have academic collaborations to solve persistent social issues?
A. Academic institutions are locations of deep expertise yet a lot of times, the expertise remains trapped within the institutions. By partnering with civil society organisations – like Kshetra – colleges and institutions can build a two-way bridge between the work they do and the continuously evolving needs of society. Institutes of higher education are also home to many young minds and students are great investments for the future.
Q. What advice do you have for other philanthropic organizations that wish to invest towards solving pressing issues of the society? Also, how can policymakers ensure better support for collaborative efforts between academia, civil society, and government?
A. We are hopeful that many more funders will come forward to support horizontal offerings like Kshetra’s dialogic method. While organisational development and capacity building – as learning to dialogue for instance – may not show immediate, tangible results, programs targeting culture, mindset, and capacities play a vital role in keeping the broader social ecosystem healthy. Needless to say, the potential for this work is best realised through an enabling policy environment.
