An ethical leadership development programme designed for women for the benefit of women
We are putting a call out to develop leaders who want to make a difference
MDG3: ‘to promote gender equality and empower women’, one of the eight Millennium Development Goals and the name of our unique Leadership Challenge because that’s what we intend to do.
In 2015 the pledges made by the UN, Governments and Global businesses to work towards eradicating poverty that were encapsulated in eight Millennium Development Goals expire. The MDG3 Leadership Challenge has been created to mark this anniversary by specifically encouraging businesswomen to develop and use leadership learning and experience to help develop a range of sustainable women’s health, social and economic initiatives in rural South African communities.
The MDG3 Leadership Challenge is open to women looking to develop their leadership skills and see the immediate impact of that development through the delivery of a real project – the ultimate challenge to empower women and promote gender equality.
The unique insight and access to disadvantaged rural communities in South Africa gives those who take part the opportunity to apply their leadership skills to a real project where long term sustainable outcomes are critical to success. Understanding the impact of Corporate and Social Responsibility on any community is an essential take away for all future business leaders.
The target is to deliver a number of MDG3 challenges, each promoted by industry or women’s networks. Each Challenge will involve up to 24 women and will consist of a two day leadership development module in the UK, a fund-raising project and a four-day leadership delivery module in South Africa. Our projects in South Africa are organised by Richard Mabaso and The Imbumba Foundation (www.imbumbafoundation.org) and supported by UN Women South Africa, The Nelson Mandela Foundation and Banking Association South Africa who recognise the impact these initiatives are having. Mrs Graca Machel, Nelson Mandela’s widow in her first public appearance since the passing away of her husband paid tribute to the work of the Foundation as the focus reminded her so much of her own difficult struggle.
The whole programme is carbon neutral through a combination of reducing carbon emissions and contributing directly to the Eco-Preneur initiative, a youth entrepreneurship programme generating indigenous reforestation in South Africa.
Testament to this unique approach is the fact that every project we have undertaken in the last ten years is still running today and each has grown from the initial intervention to become self-sustainable.
As the fastest growing women’s network we are looking for focused and motivated women from the We Are The City network to take up the Challenge and be part of this great initiative for 2015.
The MDG3 Leadership Challenge is open to women looking to develop their leadership skills and see the immediate impact of that development through the delivery of a real project – the ultimate challenge to empower women and promote gender equality. There is no restriction on age or ability, simply a desire to learn and want to make a real difference to the lives of women in under privileged communities.
Individuals or teams can take part, from existing work or leadership talent groups, from representatives of different offices, or from a selection of women who have never met before.
By focusing on natural leadership ability and awareness rather than physical strength no specific level of fitness or management position is required to take part. Achieving the end goal and delivering a successful project will depend on everyone’s flexibility and adaptability in challenging situations and their ability to consciously identify and develop their individual leadership strengths while managing their weaknesses.
To find out more, please download a brochure at www.theleadershipcompany.co.uk/mdg3 where you will also find the on-line brochure and links to videos that highlight the projects we’ve initiated in South Africa.
For specific queries on how you or your company can take part, please contact Duncan Burman, Programme Director at duncan@theleadershipcompany.co.uk.
