Volume 1. Issue 2

Volume 1. Issue 2

Si

The Sustainability Institute

Welcome to the Sustainability Institute! .Lasting Positive Impact. aidha - ‘that to which we aspire’ when translated from Sanskrit was chosen as the name of the non-governmental organization set up in July of 2006. A program that started out in 2004 as an initiative under the National Committee of United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) Singapore, expanded on its own as a non-governmental organization in 2006. It began as a pilot program “Migrant Workers Project” offering typical skills like baking, guitar lessons and also learning how to use the computer. aidha’s core was to deliver high quality financial education targeting specifically for women migrant workers.

Singapore has come a long way from a concrete harsh urban environment to the verdant Garden city in which we live, work and play. Our tree-lined roads interspersed with lush greenery, beautiful parks and gardens, have left our visitors to Singapore with a lasting impression. This reputation is the fruit of the Singapore government’s concerted efforts to green up the island over the past four decades. National Parks—Singapore

“Learning & Insights from Personal Sustainability Journal” By Jacqueline Wong

Sustainability secures for the business a “license to operate” at a minimal, and offers a rich ground for business innovation at its best. With easy access to information, consumers can now easily obtain information and data on a business’s operations - where they operate, whom they hire, how they treat employees, what natural resources do they use, how they treat the by-products of their processes etc. In order for a business to earn the license to operate, they are learning in current times that they must care for the larger eco-system in which they exist, or face serious public disapproval or boycott.

AIESEC - Poverty Through Our Lenses Forum Held at SMU with guests from aidha and the National Committee for UNIFEM Singapore.

Jobs DB Career & Education Exhibition 2009 Our participation at the fair was a good chance to meet the community.

The Sustainability Institute 420 North Bridge Road North Bridge Centre #05-39/40 Singapore 188727 Email: [email protected] www.sustainability.sg

“Sustainability represents an idealized societal state where people live long, dignified, comfortable & productive lives, satisfying their needs in environmentally sound & socially just ways so as to not compromise the ability of other human beings from doing the same now & into the distant future.” - Brian Kermath

Imagine Singapore is about creating hope & possibilities through conversations that matter. It is an effort to bring Singaporeans from all walks of life together to discover the true essence of our strengths, qualities, & spirit that have stood the test of time. It is the discovery of our communities’ hopes & aspirations, verbalized through active dialogue & engagement. Simply put, we imagine a nation in conversation. Add your name to the ever-growing movement of people who is energized to the discovery of our communities’ hopes & aspirations. Email us at : [email protected] www.imaginesingapore.sg

“Learning & Insights from Personal Sustainability Journal” By Jacqueline Wong

Sustainability secures for the business a “license to operate” at a minimal, and offers a rich ground for business innovation at its best. With easy access to information, consumers can now easily obtain information and data on a business’s operations - where they operate, whom they hire, how they treat employees, what natural resources do they use, how they treat the by-products of their processes etc. In order for a business to earn the license to operate, they are learning in current times that they must care for the larger eco-system in which they exist, or face serious public disapproval or boycott.

Businesses that are irresponsible would in the end face deselection by consumers, partners and the society, or the resources upon which their business is based would only run dry. On the other spectrum, are the “wave riders” (as they are referred to in “Green to Gold”) who know how to tap on sustainability ideas as a source of entrepreneurship and innovation that can be turned into profitable ventures. They see the value that the increasing interest in sustainability brings new business opportunities and casts them in positive light in the eyes of investors.

Similarly, for social organizations, Doing Well is the foundation to enable social sector organizations to Do more Good. In Jim Collins’ ‘Good to Great - Monograph for the Social Sector’, he wrote about Great business organizations having a clarity about their “Hedgehog” - which is a combination of three overlapping questions, including a) What we are most passionate about, b) What are we best in the world at, and c) What drives our resource engine. Similarly, for social sector organizations, having clarity on these three questions are just as important. Unlike businesses, their bottom-line would include the number of believers in their cause, sponsorships, brand-value, and ability to hire the best talents Therefore, doing well would include paying attention to the same things that a business attends to, including marketing, branding, quality of service, quality of employment they provide, and financial viability. As social sectors become increasingly competitive, the social organizations that will survive (or remain sustainable) are the ones that can differentiate themselves by their distinctive impact and quality of products and services. Even though profit is not the measure of success, business and operational excellence is still a relevant and important indicator of Doing Well. One of the key ideas we emphasize when consulting for social enterprises and social organizations is that “social does not equal mediocre”. There is no reason why a social sector organization does not seek to deliver five-star products and services. Therefore, Doing Good and Doing Well is a “core theory of success”, and the end game for all organizations. Related to the above, in fact, I would surmise that the only organizations left eventually would be the ones that do good and do well. All other quadrants are truly not sustainable in the end. Sustainability radiates through Individual, Organization, Society and Biosphere (W.I.S.E.) As William McDonough, the renowned architect and author of Cradle to Cradle said, “Designing renders visible our hopes and dreams… it is the first signal of human intentions”. One of the fruits or Designs that came from my learning journey with MPOD over the past one year is the founding of the Sustainability Institute. The mission of SI is to create Lasting Positive Impact, inspired by Weatherhead’s Bold Ideas, Lasting Impact. In many ways, it espouses to bring to the forefront the guiding idea of “OD for Sustainability” that MPOD has imbued in me. It became a lens that powered my work and gave Sequoia Consulting a new focus. Interestingly enough, when I founded Sequoia nine years ago, it already has a mission and a story that is very much about sustainability. For one, the Sequoia tree is an icon and generative metaphor for sustainability, and the mission of Sequoia is to “create organizations that are worthy of people’s commitment”.

.Lasting Positive Impact. www.sustainability.sg

Sustainability Institute (SI) furthers and extends the mission of Sequoia by moving to the next frontier of looking at ways to enable and build capacities in organizations who are interested in more than profits, and interested in more than social philanthropy and charity. In other words, organizations are worthy of the society and stakeholders’ commitment.

“We only get one shot...fail to act boldly enough & we may fail completely.” Alex Steffen

SI was incorporated on Jan 2008, focusing on research, education/ awareness and consultancy for the four pillars of W.I.S.E. – Great Workplaces Innovations for Sustainability Societal Engagement Environmental Conscience SI’s W.I.S.E framework became a “teachable point of view” that we are now using to teach and share with businesses that are interested in expanding their agenda for sustainability. We have been receiving a lot of positive responses and feedback on how this has been a source of inspiration for them as traditionally, most business leaders tend to hold a more limited definition of Sustainability as equal to “Green”. We begin to share with them the opportunities and benefits they would gain from expanding the way they look at sustainability to drive improvements in employee engagement and employment practices (Great Workplaces); create new “out-of the box” blue-ocean innovations that they never thought of before using Sustainability as a spring-board; consider ways they could do something good for the society by aligning their business to a worthy social cause, and finally consider ways they can reduce their carbon footprint in their supply chain and business processes, thereby saving costs.

Sustainability...what’s in it for me? For my business?

W I S E .Lasting Positive Impact. www.sustainability.sg

National Parks Community in Bloom By Chong Han Lim (NParks)

Introducing the ‘Community in Bloom’ (CIB) Programme Singapore has come a long way from a concrete harsh

Ivory Heights Condominium Community Garden

urban environment to the verdant Garden city in which we live, work and play. Our tree-lined roads interspersed with lush greenery, beautiful parks and gardens, have left our visitors to Singapore with a lasting impression. This reputation is the fruit of the Singapore government’s concerted efforts to green up the island over the past four decades.

In line with nurturing a gardening culture and to introduce gardening

Looking forward, our long-term vision is to evolve Singapore into a ‘City In A Garden’. To ensure that these efforts are sustainable, every one of us has a role to play. It is important that the community takes ownership of this vision and is actively involved in the greening efforts. The ‘Community in Bloom’ (CIB) programme was hence conceived in 2004 with this purpose – to nurture a

gardening culture and to

introduce gardening as a healthy hobby for everyone.

as a healthy hobby for everyone, efforts have been made to educate the next generation and helping them to develop skills, knowledge and values that promote a love for greenery and care for the environment.

The ‘Community in Bloom’ Schools resource materials (CIB Schools) were specially designed for this purpose - to turn gardening activities and nature appreciation into mini projects and school gardens into outdoor classrooms. Aimed at developing science

process skills, project management skills, teamwork and

Community gardening is a collective effort by the community

entrepreneurial skills for the students, these engaging gardening

to cultivate plants in common green areas to create gardens

activities nurture a love for gardening and also a passion for nature

for all to enjoy. Individuals in the community take up the

and the environment.

initiative and responsibility for organizing, planting and maintaining the gardens. An essential aspect is that the

Serangoon North Zone 6 RC Community Garden

garden be a focal point for people to come together to enjoy this activity as a group. Apart from tending to their plants, these plant lovers meet regularly to share gardening tips and plant specimens. They organize visits to other gardens to meet like-minded people and to exchange innovative gardening ideas. This Programme also facilitates the

The response towards Community in Bloom has been encouraging.

creation of self-help networks among the community in the

Since its inception, communities that participated in the programme

aspect of caring for plants, where successful gardening

have witnessed a number of positive changes: residents returning

groups are encouraged to reach out to start-up groups.

to outdoor green spaces; school teachers using

gardens as

outdoor classrooms; kindergartens integrating outdoor play with There are various types of community gardens, namely found in:

indoor activities; and senior citizens gathering and

(1)

increased

(2)

(3)

Public Housing Estates: Gardening plots are sited in common green spaces within housing estates. They are cultivated by residents and managed by the Residential Committees. Private Housing Estates: Homeowners can set up roadside gardens on green verges in front of their homes along roads in their estate, and cultivate their own community gardens. Schools and other Organizations: Gardening plots are cultivated within the premises of schools or organizations, where teachers, staff or volunteers have the opportunity to care for their plants.

socializing in

the gardens. These are testaments of a greater living environment, community

involvement

and

more

cohesive

neighbourhoods. Communities involved in the programme have grown closer and are collectively proud of what they have created. It is this sense of joy and spirit of togetherness in gardening that will be a key pillar in the transformation of our Garden City into a “City in A Garden”.

For more information about CIB, visit http://www.nparks.gov.sg/ cib

.Lasting Positive Impact. www.sustainability.sg

AIESEC - Poverty Through Our Lenses : By Azliza Asri

On February 13, 2008—the AIESEC POL team held a forum with leading members of Singapore Management University (SMU) faculty and women leaders from the non-governmental organizations (NGO) sector here in Singapore. The aim of the forum was to gather likeminded students from SMU & Junior College students who are interested to learn more about the issue of poverty; to understand in greater detail the complexity of the issue from SMU faculty (John Donaldson—SMU Assistant Professor of Political Science), aidha President (Dr. Sarah Mavrinac) & the National Committee for United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) Singapore General Manager (Sreyashi Sengupta). Staggering & depressing facts about the state of the poor in the world today set the discussion on poverty - with almost 48% of the world’s population living on less than $2/day as according to the World Bank recent statistics, students are given a glimpse of the challenges facing impoverished communities around the world. Consequently, there are approximately 4 billion people living at the “Bottom-of-the-Pyramid” & it is a challenge for these communities to meet their basic necessities on a daily basis. Furthermore, according to the Center for Business as an Agent of World Benefit (BAWB), one person dies every 3.6 seconds from malnutrition & related causes. Economic development factors such as educational opportunities, gender equality, access to basic sanitation, children’s well-being along with stable governance seemed to contribute to a communities’ ability to manage its poverty levels. Coincidently, women’s ability to gain educational opportunities is highly correlated to the rate of her children's success in the community (ie. literacy, health levels, economic viability for the mother & family). Gender equality is, thus an important factor to look at when needing to understand the complexity of communities’ ability to remove themselves from the cycle of poverty. Women usually are able to take better care of the finances for their children’s education or to source for the family daily food necessities (ie. Rice, water, cassava, sugar or flour). Additionally, women tend to be in a better position to alleviate their family’s poverty levels because of their nurturing personality.

Sreyashi from the National Committee for UNIFEM Singapore shared with the audience a story in India of a women’s struggle to gain some income while working on a farm (4 hours walking distance from her home) even till her last days of pregnancy. She endured a painful experience while giving birth to her child in a situation that didn’t allow her the choice that women in developed countries have - clean sanitized surroundings. UNIFEM’s work is about empowering women through programs, workshops & campaigns - ‘Say No to Violence against Women’, ‘Day-off’ or the ‘Stop Child Sex’ campaigns. These campaigns are aimed to raise awareness on these issues while also providing funds for participation through these programs too. aidha - a non-governmental organization that started in 2006, provides financial education to migrant workers in Singapore. Domestic helpers usually from Indonesia & the Philippines would take up classes such as career & money management, technology & communication, and advanced entrepreneurship & management classes. These classes are designed to develop participants’ skills & knowledge so that they are able to create small businesses (ie. hair salons, sundry shops) upon their return home - as a way to find means for financial independence. These programs not only provide these financial skills & knowledge to the ladies but also build on their self-esteem that empowers women in their lives.

The topic on poverty is a complex issue that requires understanding from many differing factors & not one that can be easily understood, but also not one without a solution in due time. It is an issue that requires thorough understanding of its complexities’ culture, native language & religion - especially, when carrying out development work on the ground.

.Lasting Positive Impact. www.sustainability.sg

“

Wealth

is evidently not the good we are seeking, for

it is merely useful

and

for the sake of

something else.” - Aristotle Additionally, Dr Mavrinac shared with the audience her experience in the Philippines last July when aidha was carrying out its research work. She shared her thoughts with the audience that we cannot fully realize the depth & gravity of communities living in poverty despite our years of research or immense reading on the topic much better than the communities who are living in such conditions on a daily basis. Our thoughtfulness, complete open-mindedness & a humble understanding of their struggles along with a sense of sincerity in wanting to aid these communities eradicate poverty is probably a best first step. Despite such grime facts on the issue of poverty, Donaldson also encouraged the audience to see that the possibilities in alleviating poverty is present & abundance. It might not be an easy-enough task but in due time it is possible to reduce the percentage of communities living below the poverty line. This is especially true with the presence of NGOs such as UNIFEM & aidha; that are determined in delivering the strategies, programs & tools necessary to alleviate poverty, specifically - to the women in the community. Likewise, Sreyashi also believe that achieving gender equality is key to alleviating poverty. It is the ‘double dividend’ that is present in the notion that gender equality will improve the lives of both mother & children. Women with better educational experience tend to favor & are able to provide better quality of life for her children. The education, knowledge & skills that these women are able to achieve are trickled down to her children - they become more confident in their decision-making (especially, in financial matters that are inclusive of the family’s wellbeing), better nourished children & the like. Moreover, women with higher literacy rates do enter the formal labor sector that translates to contributing to a higher Gross National Product (GNP) of a country. In Singapore, Madam Halimah Yaccob - head of the National Trade Union Congress (NTUC) Women’s Development Secretariate (WDS) has set up & chaired a national panel to get more women back to work. In times of economic turmoil & uncertain inflation rates, the move to attract more women back to work under the SGD$3 million fund has boosted employment rates with the inclusion of women back to the labor sector to an all-time 17-year high according to the Straits Times dated November 17, 2008 issue. To date, Singapore’s labor sector includes an increasing percentage of individuals with tertiary education up 13% from 25% in 1998.

Pictures Courtesy of : The Sustainability Institute - Visits to Thailand & Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Poverty Around the World United Nations Millennium Development Goals (UNMDG 2015)  Reduce by half the proportion of people living in extreme income poverty (living on less than $1 a day)  Ensure universal primary education Eliminate gender disparity in primary & secAlleviating poverty in regions around the world is  ondary schools (by 2005) a great possibility - one that can be achieved with  Reduce infant & child mortality by two-thirds much hope & perseverance in due time.  Reduce maternal mortality by three-quarters  Ensure universal access to reproductive health services  Implement national strategies for sustainable development in every country by 2005, so as to reverse the loss of environmental resources by 2015 (“Attacking Poverty: Opportunity, Empowerment & Security” - World Development Report 2000/2001)

“Some 835,000 women are now in the market, compared to 818,000 a year ago, mainly due to the efforts by the government and the unions to get more women back to work.”

“Poverty is the worst form of violence.” Mahatma Gandhi

.Lasting Positive Impact. www.sustainability.sg

That to which we inspire...aidha. By The Sustainability Institute

aidha - ‘that to which we aspire’ when translated from Sanskrit was chosen as the name of the nongovernmental organization set up in July of 2006. A program that started out in 2004 as an initiative under the National Committee of United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) Singapore, expanded on its own as a non-governmental organization in 2006. It began as a pilot program “Migrant Workers Project” offering typical skills like baking, guitar lessons and also learning how to use the computer. Seeing the potential of the program, Executive Committee members of the National Committee of United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), they decided that the project has the capacity to run on its own. aidha’s core was to deliver high quality financial education targeting specifically for women migrant workers. Current President Dr. Sarah Mavrinac headed the expansion of aidha as its own NGO. A former finance Professor at the prestigious INSEAD School of Business, Dr Mavrinac set out the first financial education class at her place of residency. Domestic workers who have heard about the “Migrant Workers Project” under the National Committee of UNIFEM Singapore were eager to start enrolling at aidha. To date, aidha offers classes such as career & money management, technology & communication, advanced management & entrepreneurship, and also elective courses like style with confidence & skills in the 21st century. These classes are aimed to provide the needed knowledge & skills for the students to be able to understand basic business tools & concepts. With hopes, that they are able to set up their own business once they return home - for example, to set up a hair salon, café, or sundry shops. Taking classes at aidha gives them the self -confidence boost when they leave Singapore with a wealth of resources as a means of financial independence - the qualification will give them the opportunity to find employment back home. From one of the research findings conducted by the National Committee of UNIFEM Singapore, it was concluded that aside from abuse cases facing women in developing countries, the skill on how to save is a great primary concern. Subsequently, aidha fills the gap present in the society by providing financial education classes to migrant workers in Singapore. Since its inception in 2006, aidha has to date provided its courses to over 1,200 women in Singapore.

Dr. Mavrinac believed that even when aidha is an NGO, it should not skim on the quality of its class notes or the individuals teaching the courses. Her vision was simple & crisp - to handpick the best individuals to teach the courses. aidha courses are taught by corporate trainers & Professors from the local universities. Students are also given class notes atypical of those handed out in university classes. She doesn't believe in compromising the quality of the courses even though the courses are running from an NGO. She believes in a balance while running aidha’s operation & as an advise to aspiring social entrepreneurs crafting a brand image is an essential first step. It reflects the quality & image of organization. When asked what are the capabilities & strengths of aidha? Dr. Mavrinac pointed out that “providing high quality intellectual capital” is aidha’s competitive advantage. However, she does not wish for aidha to grow in massive numbers - that is not one of aidha core competency Instead, aidha aims to capitalize on its energetic entrepreneurial capabilities (as a generator of intellectual capital). One of aidha’s vision is to develop a network of replication centers that provides aidha’s course materials at a standard subscription fee. This is one of the possible ways aidha is able to provide income generating activity in the years to come. She also believes in delivering the value in aidha’s financial education courses & feels that that should create interest from the public. In 5 years, aidha’s contribution to the society would hope to have transcended Asia & possibly creating replication centers internationally such as the Middle East, London, New York, Italy or Greece where domestic workers are present. Despite such grandiose hope & vision, providing financial education to women migrant workers will inherently be a core for aidha. As a long-term impact for aidha, she hopes to have a lot less poor people in the world & that the eradication of poverty is possible & not just a mere dream. For more information about aidha, visit www.aidha.org or email [email protected]

.Lasting Positive Impact. www.sustainability.sg

Our participation at Jobs DB Career & Education Fair 2009. By The Sustainability Institute

The Jobs DB Career & Education Exhibition that took place on March 20th to the 22nd drew a sizeable crowd. In times of economic downturn & inevitable uncertainty, the exhibition came at a right time. Job seekers and those who are interested in upgrading themselves did find the exhibition beneficial. The Sustainability Institute (Si) participated to be part of the “Education” section of the fair. Presenting the work that we at Si, it was a good opportunity for us to launch our programs & workshops. Our main objective was to present Si to the public with the launch of our 2009 Programs & Workshops. 1. Sustainability Programs & Workshops 2. Live. Laugh. Love 3. SEEDS 4. Life & Career Coaching We also took this opportunity to acquaint visitors to our booth about Singapore Compact. The key attraction to our booth was the immense interest on the issue of sustainability. They were keen to know if currently, there are any organizations (government or non-governmental) that are promoting sustainability or the issue of corporate social responsibility (CSR) to businesses (especially) - or the community-at-large in Singapore. And they were also keen in finding out what measures are being taken to promote CSR or sustainability issues to the community in Singapore. The issue on sustainability is recently getting coverage & currency in Singapore. The local newspaper - The Straits Times published an article (on March 24, 2009) entitled “Going green makes sound sense” written by Euston Quah & Qiyan Ong. It outlined the exact sentiments felt by sustainability skeptics. Therefore, there is a clear need to understand the essence of sustainable development for the betterment of society - especially in respect to how businesses in Singapore can do a part in paving its way toward sustainability (be it in its CSR or through community engagement). Businesses need to address these issues to create better business practices that aligns with standard laws & policies while at the same time reaping comfortable profits for the company. There is no time like the present to begin to learn & understand about these sustainability issues & subsequently, integrating sustainability as a key business agenda.

Understand what is, Imagine what can be, Create what will be.

Imagine

Singapore is about creating hope & possibilities through conversations that matter. It is an effort to bring Singaporeans from all walks of life together to discover the true essence of our strengths, qualities, & spirit that have stood the test of time. It is the discovery of our communities’ hopes & aspirations, verbalized through active dialogue & engagement. Simply put, we imagine a nation in conversation. We believe that people grow in the direction of questions we most frequently ask ourselves. Positive images precede positive action. Through workshops using a simple & accessible approach of asking questions called Appreciative Inquiry, Singaporeans conduct interviews that will help in the expression of the hopes of our families, friends & neighbors. We have experienced the ability of this approach to bring positive changes - the mere act of being asked these questions serve to deepen the quality of connection between people & strengthens the individual’s sense of hope for the future. We have done it before, we will do it again. We have what it takes to succeed.

Join the ever-growing movement of people believing in their dreams! For further information or to be part of the project, email us at [email protected] Visit us at www.sustainability.sg

We are currently collaborating with NTUC to gather positive stories for their “Upturn the Downturn” portal. Thank you Anderson Junior College students for your participation!