Today, I (Nishant Malhotra) welcome Sandeep Rai, CEO & Founder of The Circle India, and Sayed Mohammad Shoeb, Founder & Project Head of The Panaah Communities, for an insightful discussion about their impactful work in the education sector. A brief introduction: Sandeep Rai - An alumnus of Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs, Sandeep has worn multiple hats within the global development sector, serving in leadership roles at Teach For India, where he currently serves on the advisory board. He is the author of the book 'Grey Sunshine,' which explores the existential education crisis in India. The Circle India, founded by Sandeep, is revolutionizing the country's education system with best-in-class pedagogy, preparing less privileged students for the future. Sayed Mohammad Shoeb - A chemical engineer turned educator and social entrepreneur, Sayed has over 7 years of experience transforming educational outcomes in underserved communities. As the founder and project head of The Panaah Communities, his work focuses on providing quality learning through community mobilization, parental literacy, and employability skill-building. Welcome, Sandeep and Shoeb. I look forward to our meaningful conversation about your impactful work. Let's begin with Sandeep's initiatives at The Circle India. Sandeep, your journey in the global development sector, culminating in your book 'Grey Sunshine,' has been remarkable. The book delves into the existential education crisis in India, where, according to a 2019 UNICEF report, around 30 percent of students drop out before reaching upper primary levels (Grade 8). UNESCO's data further reveals that India has over 6 million children aged 6-13 who are out of school, accounting for a quarter of the global out-of-school population in that age group. Could you share what prompted your journey from Columbia to Teach For India and ultimately inspired you to author this eye-opening book? While India has made remarkable progress in reducing extreme poverty to less than 3 percent in 2022, as per the World Bank Poverty Clock, millions still live on less than $6.85 per day, the benchmark for upper-middle-income countries. The Circle India strives to bridge this educational gap by providing quality K-12 education to underprivileged students nationwide. I am keen to learn more about your impactful undertakings and the pathways you are addressing to drive this transformative change. You are building a community focused on educating and uplifting underprivileged sections of society, including establishing after-school training centres and empowering teachers. Could you elaborate on the initiatives and approaches you have adopted to create a sustainable educational ecosystem? Sandeep, your book 'Grey Sunshine' sheds light on the existential education crisis in India. According to UNICEF, around 30 percent of students drop out before reaching upper primary levels, and UNESCO data reveals that over 6 million children aged 6-13 are out of school, accounting for a quarter of the global out-of-school population in that age group. ➢ Share with audience what prompted your journey from Columbia to Teach For India and ultimately inspired you to author this thought-provoking book. Inequality remains one of the biggest drivers of poverty and social discontent globally. According to the World Bank, nearly 700 million people worldwide live in extreme poverty, earning less than $2.15 per day. Additionally, almost half of the world's population subsists on less than $6.85 per day – the measure used for upper-middle-income countries. While India has made remarkable progress in reducing extreme poverty to less than 3 percent in 2022, as per the World Bank Poverty Clock, millions still remain below the poverty line, especially when measured against the $6.85 per day benchmark. The Circle India is striving to bridge this educational gap by providing quality K-12 education to underprivileged students across the country. Sandeep, we would be keen to learn more about the impactful work you are undertaking and the strategies you have implemented to address this pressing issue sustainably. Now, Shoeb, let's turn our attention to your wonderful work at The Panaah Communities. Your venture is addressing inequality in formative quality education through The Panaah Communities. Could you share how The Circle India has supported your endeavor and provide examples of how you are invigorating the K-12 learning experience? With 4 centers, 11+ programs, and over 2,500 enrolled students, your venture significantly impacts its target audience. You've achieved an impressive 80.06 percent average attendance and 75.27 percent average mastery across programs for students. • How did you manage to have such a profound impact within these communities? • I like your idea of involving parents within the community. Speak about the parental education. • What motivated you to work on this idea? Could you share some of the struggles you faced while setting up the venture? Shoeb, I know you have a focus on STEM education. Speak more about this initiative. • Sandeep, could you share any poignant experience from your book that left a lasting impression on you? Finally, an "Aha!" question for both of you: Could you share an experience, either personal or professional, that brightens your life and serves as a source of inspiration? I thank you both for sharing your time and insights about your remarkable work. The Middle Road offers highly discounted products and services to development organizations, and honored to explore potential collaborations.

Nishant Malhotra interviews Dr. Sathyeshwar Subbakrishna, Principal of Jyothy Institute of Commerce and Management. The Middle Road briefly interacted with the institute for the paid inaugural roll-out of the corporate subscription package. The interview follows the "Jobs to Be Done" methodology and uncovers the utility desired by the academic institute. In this thrilling conversation,  Dr. Sathyeshwar shares his experience with Middle Road, an online educational platform. As the Principal of the Institute of Commerce and Management, he discusses how his institution integrates Middle Road to better align with its educational objectives and ultimate aspirations. The conversation reveals how Middle Road, with its targeted course offering, meets the unique needs of commerce and management students, providing the much-needed solution to enhance their learning capabilities. Examining the pedagogical gap experienced by students in accessing online platforms, the conversation underscores the potential of Middle Road in delivering specialized, affordable, and high-value courses. A major highlight is the discussion around students' career progression and Middle Road's potential role as a 'finishing school'- bridging the gap between academic learning and practical job-sensitive skills.  Dr. Sathyeshwar's frank, insightful perspective showcases the effectiveness of Middle Road not just as an online course platform, but a significant partner in revolutionizing commerce and management education. Tune into this inspiring conversation to explore the intersection of commerce and education, and the transformative role of digital learning platforms like Middle Road.

In this episode of The Middle Road, host Nishant Malhotra talks with Peter Fusaro, a renowned leader in green energy and environmental finance. The conversation offers a deep insight into the evolving landscape of sustainable finance and the transition to green energy. Fusaro, with his extensive experience in clean tech startups, discusses the vital role of innovative financial solutions like impact and catastrophic bonds in contributing to global development. The episode explores the transformative potential of microgrid projects in providing electricity to billions and facilitating resilience against catastrophic events. Peter underlines the critical role of energy storage in empowering renewable energy sources and talks about new technologies in the Advanced Battery field. The critical spots in decarbonizing the global economy, such as the hydrogen industry and sustainable agriculture, are also highlighted. The dialogue delves into future prospects of sustainable practices worldwide, like reforestation, agroforestry, sustainable fishing, and vertical farming. In the backdrop of climate change, the need for adaptation and innovation in energy, food, and water sectors is emphasized. Discussing the emerging significance of impact investing, the conversation highlights the role of venture capital, sovereign wealth funds, startups. The talk concludes with the importance of measuring carbon footprints and reducing them and a vibrant discussion on the prospects of the carbon credits market. This episode provides listeners an inside look into the sustainable initiatives globally, including carbon markets, sustainable finance, and green technology. The role of public-private partnerships in driving innovative solutions to address climate change issues gets a notable mention. Exploration of alternative sustainable energy sources like hydrogen, prospects in the mobility and transportation space, and the lack of standardization and benchmarking in sustainable finance are some of the many points discussed. The vision for a greener future where clean energy, education, and water are accessible to all closes the conversation on a hopeful note. This episode serves as a comprehensive guide to the potential of green energy and environmental finance globally.

Hello Everyone,   I hope you're all doing well. I'm Nishant Malhotra, the Solo Founder & CEO of Middle Road OPC Pvt Ltd – The middle Road platform, which focuses on upskilling in the social impact sector. While my startup is a for-profit organization, The middle Road is deeply committed to driving sustainable social impact on a global scale. Learn more at www.themiddleroad.org. Now, I'm excited to introduce the inaugural Kusum Social Impact Awards from The middle Road.  ----more----First and foremost, I'm thrilled to announce that The Center for Theory of Change is sponsoring the Kusum Social Impact Awards. This partnership marks a significant milestone in my organization’s journey, and I'd like to express my sincere gratitude to Dr. Helene Clark for her generous support. Dr. Helene was a podcast guest and discussed the Theory of Change framework, as well as promoted her organization's theory of change online course through advertising on The middle Road. These awards are a remarkable initiative, and it's an honor to be associated with The Center for Theory of Change for these awards. The middle Road warmly welcomes nominations from diverse individuals and entities worldwide for this prestigious award. The goal is to cast a wide net, ensuring that this recognition reflects the global tapestry of individuals and initiatives making a difference. Anyone can apply for this award if they can showcase how their work is enabling social change and impact within society. While I prefer applicants from the international development sector, this award provides an excellent opportunity to articulate the importance of your work and why you deserve to be a winner. The middle Road will award a nominal amount total of $70 to the winner/s. In the case of multiple winners, the prize money (likely transfer through PayPal for international winner/s) will be divided equally among them. The winner/s will be interviewed and featured in videos and podcasts, which will be shared globally through my startup's social media channels, community groups, and newsletter. This offers a fantastic opportunity for global outreach, as the podcasts are uploaded on platforms like Spotify, Apple, Google, etc. My startup has various social media followers in excess of 2400. While I appreciate the contributions of experienced professionals in the global development sector, it's important to note that this award is inclusive and open to all fields and professions. The middle Road enthusiastically encourages nominations from various sectors, including corporate, entrepreneurial, and humanitarian realms. I wholeheartedly invite artists representing various themes to apply, recognizing that art, culture, and well-being are at the core of our startup's ethos. Nominees have the opportunity to showcase how their work catalyzes social change and has a universal impact. This can manifest through efforts to uplift underprivileged segments of society or by contributing to humanitarian causes. Individuals who breathe life into the world of creativity are equally encouraged to participate. To apply for the award, please use the link mention in the read. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed to determine the final winner/s for this award. Thank you once again for watching this video, and I urge you to apply and become part of a community dedicated to enhancing society's well-being.

Welcome to The middle Road podcast where Nishant Malhotra your host dives deep into the stories and experiences of individuals who are shaping a brighter future through their work in impact investing and social innovation. I'm your host, Nishant Malhotra, and today, I have a remarkable guest whose journey embodies the spirit of positive change and innovation. Kingsley Godwin is a seasoned professional with over a decade of experience across diverse sectors, from development to blockchain, and he's been at the forefront of driving impact on both local and global scales. Tune into this podcast as I uncover how Kingsley, as a Country Ambassador at Impact Market Nigeria and Chairperson of the Commonwealth Youth Peace Ambassadors Network (CYPAN), is not just participating in change but driving it. His journey serves as a beacon of hope, illuminating the path for those who aspire to create positive change in Africa and beyond. So, if you're curious about the intersection of finance and social good, and if you believe in the immense potential of Africa to lead the way in impact investing, you're in the right place. Get ready for an inspiring and eye-opening conversation that promises to unveil the true essence of impact investing in Africa.   Check out The middle Road cart here.  Hello Kingsley welcome to the podcast show. Let’s begin with a Global Impact Investing Overview before I dive into impact investing in Africa.   Apply for The middle Road Kusum Social Impact Awards here.  According to a GIIN report titled “Sizing the Impact Investing Market 2022” supported by Nuveen, the global champion of impact investing, the worldwide market size of impact investing stood at $1.164 trillion. This is figure of direct invested AUM (Asset Under Management) reported as of December 2021. Keep in mind, this analysis includes Green Bonds and other specialised bond issuance. Kindly refer to the report for more details. For this report GIIN’s research team rigorously screened and analysed data from over 3,000 public and private market asset owners and managers screening is based on their criteria. However, only 2 percent of the impact investing AUM is allocated to Middle East and North Africa and 1percent to the sub-Saharan Africa. 1 This is to share a holistic perspective on the present state of impact investing in Africa. ✓ Let’s begin with your work experience. You have a very varied and diverse experience within the social impact sector in Africa. How did your work shape your interest in impact investing example as a Regional Program Officer at the West Africa Civil Society Forum (WACSOF). Howdid this build your interest and your approach for impact investing sector? ✓ How do you perceive the stage of impact investing in Nigeria and its impact within the development sector compared to other countries in Africa example Kenya or other regions example commonwealth nations globally? Speak about the limitations you perceive example low impact driven investment within the region and how to enhance the inclusion through impact investing. ✓ Impact Market uses a community driven model to crowd source for generating capital for your members. As a Country Ambassador at Impact Market Nigeria, speak about how web3 drives financial solutions keeping in mind blockchain especially among the underprivileged section of the society? o Also, how it differs from competitors example Kiva platform?  You are test marketing your product in microcredit in Uganda and Brazil. Do share the similarities and differences between consumers in both these countries? Finally, kindly share a Aha moment that you want to share with the audience that brings happiness to you. I thank you for sharing time and speaking with me. Keep in touch. References: 1. Sizing the Impact Investing Market 2022 by GIIN ImpactMarket.com

"The Middle Road: Enabling Social Change and Impact" Welcome to "The Middle Road" podcast with Mrinal Kapadia. "The Middle Road" is a thought leader upskilling platform within the social impact sector that blends media with edtech to promote affordable quality higher education. Ladies and gentlemen, I am Nishant Malhotra, your host for The Middle Road podcast, and today I am delighted to have Mrinal Kapadia with us. Mrinal is a connoisseur of art and history with a particular interest in chronicling the history of Mumbai. He is an alumnus of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, US where he studied and researched various aspects of Indian art and history, and nearly completed a minor degree in classical European archaeology. After a short stint as a business management consultant, he is now involved across different business verticals, including film production. In 2020, he formalized his interest in history by founding the India Visual Art Archive, a collection of antique art and images that endeavors to link visuals through history and vice-versa. Through independent research, the archive is currently focused on colonial works from the erstwhile Bombay Presidency. Mrinal's passion for exploring the rich cultural heritage of Mumbai has led him to undertake several projects and initiatives aimed at preserving and promoting the city's history. Through his extensive knowledge and research, he has developed a deep understanding of Mumbai's evolution, from its early days as a fishing village to its present-day status as one of India's most vibrant and dynamic cities. Today's chat is to understand Mrinal's interest in art, culture, and heritage as both a hobby and work. We'll start with his academic learning at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where he took a minor in history and how it fostered his work as a researcher and collector of historical collectibles. We'll also discuss the areas of global history that inspired him to take up history, archaeology, and culture as a keen aspect of his work. Check out the Online Courses on The middle Road here. As a resident of Mumbai, Mrinal grew up in the city and is a keen connoisseur of its art and history. He has been researching this topic for many years and has conducted sessions on the British and Portuguese maritime connection with Mumbai, we explore the British and Portuguese maritime connections with Mumbai, tracing the city's history from a fledgling village to Bombaim and finally to Mumbai. Mrinal delves into the significant events and developments that have shaped Mumbai's history, including the story behind the iconic Chowpatty in Marine Drive. Learn more about the origins of the word "Mumbai." Check out the Podcasts on The middle Road here. In terms of his professional career, Mrinal plans to continue his work as a researcher and collector of history. He encourages others to develop their hobbies into the highpoint of their lives. He also shares an "aha moment" that brings a smile. Check out the Cart to buy Subscriptions, Stand alone Online Courses and Advertising Services. Check Cart here.                                                                                                                                                                                                                Image: Chowpatty   Thank you, Mrinal, for sharing your time and insights with us. Art and history are some of my favorite topics, and it's always good to be connected to one's roots. To learn more about Mr. Kapadia's work, check out his newspaper articles.  "The Middle Road -www.themiddleroad.org" website, where you can find publications, articles, online courses, podcasts, and more. A lot of material is free, so register and access the free material, including many online courses. You can also buy a monthly subscription plan, purchase a couple of stand-alone courses, and advertise on "The Middle Road The post was revised after initial publication.

This is the full episode of the conversation of Dr Ed Cohen. Combines both episodes 34 and 33 as listed on The middle Road website - The middle Road podcast link here.    Correction; Abraham Lincoln abolished slavery in 1 January, 1863 not 1862. In the episode Nishant mentioned 1862. Kindly note the correction.

In episode 2, Dr. Ed Cohen discusses the economics of medicine with a focus on multiple frameworks for healing. The discussion is on various facets of healing, significant healing counsel therapy of Ed, chat about Ed's recent book On Learning to Heal or What Medicine Doesn’t Know. An interesting note on Dr. Franz Anton Mesmer on animal magnetism, the origins of single-blind test i.e., the first blind experiment conducted to investigate the claims of mesmerism and field effect. One of the research papers cited is listed below. Nishant highlights the positive attitude of Americans toward many aspects of healing and the Aha question.  Correction: Abraham Lincoln abolished slavery in 1863 not 1862. Nishant mentioned by mistake 1862, its corrected.  It's important to listen to episode 1 of Nishant Malhotra’s discussion with Dr. Ed Cohen and then listen to this podcast.   Q). Nishant Malhotra Your paper The Placebo Disavowed: Or Unveiling the Bio-Medical Imagination is articulate and eloquent written with artistic flair exploring the scholarly topic of the efficacy of interventions example placebo, a key concept for understanding clinical trials and attitude towards alternative medication. In the Impact Evaluation Online Course, I have taught and introduced the concept of Randomized Controlled Trials. In the mentioned research piece, you mentioned positively about alternative medicines. According to Precedence Research, the global complementary and alternative medicine market size was valued at $92.65 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach over $411.4 billion by 2030, poised to grow at a CAGR of 18% from 2021 to 2030.    Dr. Ed Cohen website ✓ Department of Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies | Rutgers University ✓ On Learning to Heal or What Medicine Doesn’t Know by Dr. Ed Cohen The Placebo Disavowed: Or Unveiling the Bio-Medical Imagination www.precedenceresearch.com    YouTube | LinkedIn | Twitter    https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12450026/

The middle Road is a thought leader platform enabling social change and impact. The startup blends Media with EdTech to promote and upskill the audience through publications, articles, online courses, podcasts, and videos across various topics example Economics & Development Economics, Finance & Sustainable Finance, Impact Evaluation & Statistics, etc. The mantra of the company is to spread affordable quality higher education.  Check out The middle Road.    Check out The middle Road podcast section for a detailed read with embed video podcast of the full episode here.  Nishant Malhotra fireside chat with Dr. Ed Cohen. This podcast has two episodes. In the first episode with Dr. Ed, Nishant discusses his struggle and triumph over Crohn’s illness. Ed discusses the self-awareness he developed due to the ailment, his role model especially Michel Foucault, who influenced his thinking. In this first riveting episode, understand Modern Thought and its practical implications.    Foucault’s wisdom according to Dr Ed Cohen “what’s the point of writing a book if you are the same person when you finished writing the book and when you started writing the book.”   Dr. Ed Cohen, is a Professor at Rutgers University and a Psychagogue at Healing Counsel, a therapeutic practice for healing. An accomplished author, Ed’s recent book On Learning to Heal or What Medicine Doesn’t Know talks draws on fifty years of living with Crohn’s to consider how Western medicine’s turn from an “art of healing” toward a “science of medicine” deeply affects both medical practitioners and their patients. Ed has a Ph.D. from the Stanford University in Modern Thought, A.B. summa cum laude, and Honors from English and Mathematics, Georgetown University.    Hello Dr. Ed Cohen, thank you for joining The middle Road platform.   Nishant: First, Ed lets first understand the term Psychagogue. I loved the way you have described the term in your LinkedIn profile. How is psychagogue different from pedagogy?   Second episode covers the topic of healing and much more.    # Note: There is a correction, I read through one of his book and few research papers. During the introduction I mentioned books, the statement is corrected. Best Nishant Malhotra   YouTube | LinkedIn | Twitter

Hello this is Nishant Malhotra, Solo Founder of The middle Road, a thought leader platform enabling social change and impact. The startup promotes, educates and provides upskilling within the social impact sector through publications, online courses, podcasts and videos. Check out www.themiddleroad.org to subscribe and buy a couple of stand-alone courses.    Listen to an engaging conversation with students of Centre for Social Entrepreneurship and Development (CSED) club from Vellore Institute of Technology, India. The conversation is on student led activities that accelerate social entrepreneurship and impact.     Today Nishant chats with students from Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), India, a leading academic institute in India. Its engineering college ranks among the best in India. Nishant had judged an event for Centre for Social Entrepreneurship and Development (CSED). The discussion with members of CSED is about their journey as part of this club. Founded in 2010, the Centre for Social Entrepreneurship and Development (CSED) is a student-led organization based at Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India. The discussion is on CSED activities with a focus on social entrepreneurship.  Spotify | Apple

Nishant Malhotra is the Solo Founder of The middle Road platform a thought leader online learning platform enabling social change and impact globally. The startup fuses Media and Edtech to spread affordable education through comprehensive publications, articles, online courses, podcasts and much more. Refer to the site here. Nishant Malhotra’s Discussion with Surabhi Yadav, Sajhe Sapne, Founder & CEO The middle Road, a thought leadership and online learning platform enabling social change and impact In this episode from The middle Road, I chat primarily with Surabhi Yadav, Founder & CEO of Sajhe Sapne, a nonprofit that’s empowering rural women through quality education and catalysing livelihood for the underserved section of the society. Q). Hello, Surabhi I thank you for chatting with me about your work. You have had a tremendous journey both personally and professionally. You went to IIT, Delhi, one of the best engineering colleges in India for your under and a post-graduate degree in engineering. You also did a master's in development practice from the University of California, Berkeley, US. Today as Founder & CEO of Sajhe Sapne, your organization is empowering rural women in India through quality education. An overwhelming majority of India’s rural population works in the unorganized sector. Kindly share your journey highlighting the motivation in setting up your nonprofit. Q). You have a flagship program in Management and Rural Development where you train, skill, and provide jobs to rural women between the age of 18-24 years. Please speak about this ground-breaking residential program that is enabling social change and impact within the Indian ecosystem. Q). Surabhi - 65 percent of the Indian population resides in the rural area with a literacy rate of 73.5 percent as of 2021. 1 However, the quality of education is not good. The Indian government has initiatives example Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, and Digital Initiatives that facilitate education for women. How do you think these policies are bettering your organization's mission and vision? What are the qualitative insights you would like to share that you encounter in your effort to educate rural women? Describe roadblocks and impediments and the steps you take to overcome these challenges.  For full list of questions, refer to The middle Road podcast section

Listen to Nishant Malhotra's chat with Bhargav Sri Prakash.     A brief about Bhargav Sri Prakash.   Bhargav is an alum of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and is passionate about using technology to solve complex problems governing society. He is the recipient of the world’s first digital vaccine patent. He is the Founder & CEO of Friendslearn, a biotech and medical technology company and pioneer of neuropsychology-based digital vaccines to prevent lifestyle diseases. He has worked in collaborative roles in research with leading global research and think tank institutes. Refer to the questions below. Nishant Malhotra: Bhargav thanks for joining The middle Road for an informative conversation with regards to your work at Friendslearn. You received the patent for the world’s first digital vaccine. The digital vaccine uses technology to nudge people towards positive behaviour using a tool called neurocognitive training. Tell the audience about this wonderful invention. The vaccine was developed as part of Carnegie Mellon University’s digital vaccine project. Richard King Mellon Foundation awarded the grant for the digital vaccine project. Share the journey that brought you to the Carnegie Mellon University project.How impactful is your vaccine for adults? It’s easy to modulate the behaviour of children through games and neurocognitive training but tell us what kind of results have you achieved in altering the behaviour pattern for adults for the better.Cass Sunstein and Richard Thaler have written about how nudging can be used in public policy for societal good. Although nudging is used for productive behaviour, Facebook has come under universal criticism for its adverse cognitive practices on Facebook customers. How do you think the cognitive field is going to evolve for the better as we advance? o How will practitioners of cognitive science respond to the growing concern from the society?Share an Aha Aha experience with the audience. I thank you and wish you the very best in your journey ahead

Hello Everyone, very happy to introduce Paola Cyment, a senior project manager at Women in Migration Network, a nonprofit that promotes women’s human rights for all migration and development policy. Paola wears many hats professionally and has worked across many organizations and profiles within the international development sector. She is presently based in Buenos Aires, Argentina and has a master’s in international affairs from the School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University.  In today’s splendid discussion, I chat with Paola on many issues governing society including women's rights. Its good to watch the video interview along with the podcast, so you can visually watch the dashboard of the research work.  You Tube link here.  Hello, Paola great to have you for a podcast with The middle Road. Paola, you work in a fascinating country, Argentina. I am a diehard fan of Diego Maradona, Messi, and Argentina’s soccer team. Delighted to feature someone from the Argentina on The middle Road platform.  Paola, kindly discuss your present work at the Women in Migration Network. You are an advocate of women's human rights. Do share your views both globally and in Argentina on how women's rights are evolving. Are they getting better?  The situation for migrants has been very bad. Algeria expelled over 17,000 migrants last year mostly Sub-Saharan African, between January and October 10 last year, including hundreds of women and children and some registered asylum seekers. This continued even during COVID-19 lockdown, included violations of women’s dignity. 1 Women trafficking is increasing, according to human rights watch at alarming levels in some countries globally. On the other hand, Armenia ratified the Council of Europe’s Convention on Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse (“Lanzarote Convention”). 1

The middle Road is proud to feature and showcase the Theory of Change Certification Course on the thought leader platform. This is a highly curated feature designed to promote the work of selected actors within the global social impact arena whose work lies within the mission of The middle Road. Nishant Malhotra, Sole Founder & CEO of the venture, reached out to Dr. Helene Clark to highlight the Theory of Change certification course offered by her nonprofit Center For Theory of Change. Refer to the podcast with Helene on Theory of Change.

Welcome to another scintillating podcast with The middle Road, a global social impact platform. In today’s episode Nishant Malhotra, Sole Founder of The middle Road platform chats with Simranpreet Singh Oberoi, Co-Founder of an equitable educational driven nonprofit enabling social change and impact at the grassroots level within the Indian ecosystem. The middle Road is a thought leader startup, that fuses Media and EdTech for a measurable impact. The venture features research-driven publications & articles, online courses, videos & podcasts in a community-led model across diverse themes and topics. Simranpreet Singh Oberoi great to e-meet you for a video podcast to discuss your work and career transition within the development sector. Today’s discussion’s prime purpose is to share with the audience your story in enabling social change and impact within the primary public education system in the Punjab region in India through Sanjhi Sikhiya. Sanjhi Sikhiya is a platform that supports diverse development initiatives across Punjab. Sanjhi Sikhiya’s flagship initiative Punjab Youth Leaders Program (PYLP), a two-year leadership program aims to build a cadre of young leaders across Punjab to innovate and create systemic and sustainable solutions that address the pressing issues of Punjab.   Q). Simran, how did your experience at various places and your education at Ashoka University prepare for your work at Sanjhi Sikhiya Foundation? I also had a chat with Anu Prasad here who played a fundamental role in setting up Ashoka University.  Q). You worked in diverse roles at various foundations including the present CSR work at Genpact. How did it enable and facilitate a transition as a cofounder of your present non-profit? Let’s begin with your Genpact experience and as a chief project officer at Shoshit Samadhan Kendra (SSK), what were your observations and learnings in schooling for children in the underserved  Musahar community. You wore multiple hats in this profile. Share your story.  Q). How did the idea of invigorating and educating the youth in the rural region of Punjab occur to you? The Indian primary education system needs an overhauling. 15% of the students in grade 8 could not read grade 2 text. India spent 3.8% of its GDP on education in 2019 compared to a Global average of 4.8% according to UNDP Human Development Report 2019. The figure for Nepal was 5.1%, US 5%, Finland 7.1% for 2019. Finland is a world leader in inventiveness in K12 education. Q): At present you are in 850 schools and plan to reach all the 12,000 primary schools in Punjab by 2025. What strategies are you looking to scale up your operation in terms of partnerships, community driven models etc. for a common social good? A more detailed version refer to The middle Road under Podcast section.

Today, I (Nishant Malhotra - Sole Founder of The middle Road thought leader platform) will be covering a brief overview of the Biodiversity Ecosystem. In this educational video/podcast, you will know the origins of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the risks facing the global environment landscape, and the social and economic importance of nature-based systems. It's prudent to know about the Strategic Plan for biodiversity from 2011 to 2020 with a peek at the Global Status of Aichi Biodiversity Goals. The module focuses on the financial tools & metrics to achieve biodiversity goals with a brief overview of Sustainable Finance as an enabler.     For the educational video and publication refer to the link here.

Hello,   A very warm welcome to a very insightful and informative podcast from The middle Road platform. This is Nishant Malhotra, your host discussing a special social impact story on Biodiversity. In today's educational podcast, I will share an overview of the biodiversity sector, why the persevering biodiversity sector is key to a more equitable future, its impact on the society observed through the financial sector, sustainable finance, tools, metrics used to measure the impact of human interaction and policies on nature conservation and restoration. Recently, The middle Road became a member of the European Union Business @ Biodiversity platform, a global thought-leading platform enabling social change and impact within the biodiversity-ecosystem. The middle Road is a thought leadership terminal blending Media and EdTech for a more sustainable and equitable future. Key sources of references are Finance for Biodiversity Guide on biodiversity measurement approaches, Positive Impact Finance for Business & Biodiversity, EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 among others. I thank you for listening to this session on biodiversity. More will be posted on The middle Road platform so keep checking the site. Cheers, see you around. This is Nishant Malhotra, Sole Founder of The middle Road platform a global leader in enabling social change and impact for a better tomorrow. Have a good one.

This is a special feature on 2021, kickstarts the first podcast on Social Impact Update from The middle Road. Do refer to the add on educational publication following this podcast. This is going to be a regular feature from The middle Road. First a bit about The middle Road platform. Inspired by the seventeen sustainable development goals, and keeping the model simple yet elegant, The middle Road’s mission is to make a holistic change within the world. The startup promotes themes on sustainable development, art, culture, well-being supported by well-rounded and comprehensive online learning initiatives. Despite being a one-person company, The middle Road platform has a global audience with readers and learners from across the globe. Known for its intense and educative reads, insightful and informative podcasts, webinars and videos, and educational online courses, the company is a global thought leader in social impact. The startup is a refreshing change from any of its peers, youthful yet measured, enlightening yet fun, creative yet simplistic, thought-provoking, multifaceted and, instructional. Within a short period, the startup has interviewed leading social enablers across continents, posted research focussed futuristic publications on topics related to the social and development sector artistically leading the way. This read captures some significant news from 2021, especially the reads covered on The middle Road platform. GRAPH DATA SOURCE UNESCO | THE MIDDLE ROAD  Note: GERD figures are in PPP$ (constant 2005 prices). Many of the underlying data are estimated by the UNESCO Institute for Statistics for developing countries, in particular. Furthermore, in a substantial number of developing countries data do not cover all sectors of the economy.     GRAPH: SOURCE CLIMATE BONDS INITIATIVE : THE MIDDLE ROAD Asian Development Bank estimates that Asia and the Pacific will need to invest $1.7 trillion per year to support climate and sustainable development goals. Enel, a European multinational is a pioneer in issuing SDG-linked bonds, with coupon payments linked to sustainable development goals. Enel established a Sustainability-Linked Financing Framework to aid issuance of Sustainability-Linked Financing instruments for its Euro Commercial Program. The financing instrument targets Sustainable Development Goal 7 on Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7). These bonds have a step-up coupon feature i.e. they have to pay a penalty for missing the key performance indicator mapped to coupon payment. Refer to publications and articles on Sustainable Finance on www.themiddleroad.org to get in-depth knowledge on Sustainable Bonds. If Denmark is a champion of implementing best sustainable practices example promoting cycling as a mode of transport, then Singapore’s 2030 Green Plan is an inspiration for thought leadership within the sustainable development sector. The middle Road envisions Singapore’s 2030 Green Plan to a bell weather effort comparable to the Finland’s or better Nordic countries holistic foray in bettering K-12 education globally. The little Asian dynamo, Singapore plans to invest 50 percent more (200 hectares) of land for nature parks as part of its biodiversity drive. The fact that every household will live within 10 minutes of walk to a park, has numerous positive externalities example healthier life, lower healthcare costs, better wellbeing, more productivity at work, etc. The country is increasingly deploying circular economy solutions and by 2030, expects to reduce waste to landfills by 30 percent. Many ground-breaking initiatives like expanding the cycling network to 1320 km and raising the share of public transportation to 75 percent by 2030 can serve as a beacon for other countries in implementing and understanding impact evaluation to foster a greener tomorrow. Listen Notes   # COP26 The 2021 UN Climate Change Conference; Conference of Parties known as COP26 took place in Glasgow this year. The conference committed to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels understanding the impact of climate change would be much lower at these levels compared to the 2 °C agreed under Paris Agreement. At the summit, leaders from more than 120 countries representing about 90 percent of the world’s forest pledged to halt and reverse deforestation by 2030. The $100 billion climate finance contribution pledged every year at COP9 held at Copenhagen summit, Denmark is puny when compared to the $5.2 trillion post-tax energy subsidies roughly (0.37 percent of Global GDP in 2017) based on IMF estimates. The coming together of more than 500 global financial services firms to commit $130 trillion roughly 40 percent of the world’s financial assets for climate change aligned with the Paris agreement and limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius helps to override the financial gap discussed earlier in implementing sustainable development goals per year. COP26 emphasized collaboration and the importance of civic societies in limiting loss due to climate change and promoting the Paris agreement through various actors’ example indigenous people and local people for effective implementation of the climate change agenda. Podbean | Spotify | Apple   # Science & Technology  In 2021, the United States and China landed a rover on MARS, a fantastic achievement in the realms of space exploration. Space travel got a boost this year with space exploration by Virgin, SpaceX, and Blue Origin. UNESCO is a leading publication that discusses the interaction of science, its transition towards a greener, digitally connected society and public policy? In the last few years, the world has made critical progress as digitalization and technology penetrate our lives. But has the technology created an inclusive society? How has gender parity been measured over these years? How are different countries measuring comparatively on the research and innovation parameters? Gender Equality is one key area where a lot of progress has been made in many countries covered. Globally, women have achieved parity (45–55%) at the bachelor’s and master’s levels of study and 44% at the Ph.D. level but the parity reduces as women pursue their careers. Women are also gaining in research as a profession; women researchers were one-third of all researchers in 2018, up from 28.4% in 2013. 2021 WILL ALSO GO DOWN IN HISTORY BOOKS, AS THE YEAR SCIENTISTS DISCOVERED THE FIRST MILLIPEDE IN THE WORLD HAVING 1306 LEGS IN AUSTRALIA. A SOFT YET SIGNIFICANT DISCOVERY. Did you know, according to the World Bank, 1 million out of the present 8 million animal and plant spices are facing extinction.      + citation needed

Welcome to another smashing episode from The middle Road. In this episode, Nishant Malhotra welcomes Dr. Helene Clark for the thought leadership podcast series. In today’s podcast, Nishant chats with a leading global expert and social change maker within the International Development Sector.  Dr. Helene Clark is the Founder and Director of ActKnowledge, and Board Chair of The Center for Theory of Change, a global thought leader in enabling social change and impact within the social impact sector. ActKnowledge is a social enterprise that connects social change practice with rigorous study of how and why initiatives work. ActKnowledge is the founder of Center For Theory of Change, a nonprofit focusing on outcome-driven intervention based strategic framework tool called Theory of Change (ToC). Theory of Change is a valuable tool to understand the impact of policies/interventions/programs (measures) connected to understand the outcomes linked to these measures.   Download from Global Directories below    Apple | Spotify | Listen Notes | TuneIn |  Cast Box  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5TsdW6YUdbXbpQAphuVszQ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/the-middle-road/id1481049835 Listen Notes: https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/the-middle-road/episode-24-the-middle-road-cNKEO0Vxrot/ TuneIn: https://tunein.com/podcasts/Education-Podcasts/The-middle-Road-p1357483/?topicId=168391019 Cast Box: https://castbox.fm/episode/Episode-25%3A-The-middle-Road-interviews-Dr.-Helene-Clark-Founder-and-Director-of-ActKnowledge%2C-and--Board-Chair-of-The-Center-for-Theory-of-Change-id2208219-id450273781?country=gb   Theory of Change  Theory of Change is today ubiquitous within the international development sector to understand, analyze, plan and implement long-term change through backward mapping of interventions to define the sustainable outcome. Theory of Change technique/program logic can be implemented in any organization or within our lives to bring about a more holistic change for the better. The conversation focuses on the development and importance of the Theory of Change program logic within the international development sector.  Helene breaks down the Theory of Change framework to explain the causal intervention-linked outcome-based methodology and shares a snapshot of its evolution. Helene, highlights key concepts in ToC, for example, the difference between outcome and output, backward mapping of interlinked interventions for the desired outcome etc. We discuss at length how ToC can be used in the educational institutes with real-time examples to foster a long-term strategic change including embedding the concept in the curriculum and about the prestigious Theory of Change certification. Dr. Helene, I thank you for taking time for a fabulous chat about your work.  You are a leading authority on the Theory of Change (ToC) framework. Theory of Change is one of the most critical program logic for evaluating Impact Evaluation, made famous by the Aspen Roundtable for Community Change, ActKnowledge initiatives, publications and outreach on this topic.  Helene, as the Founder and Director of ActKnowledge, and Board Chair of The Center for Theory of Change, do share the evolution of this multi-stakeholder community-driven outcome focused framework for measuring the impact of projects/ interventions especially from the early 90s. But first, for the benefit of the audience, since we would be speaking about interventions repeatedly, please explain in your parlance, how would you define interventions. Do elaborate on your definition of strategy. Theory of Change concept came through a collaborative movement among multiple actors/entities. ASPEN, ActKnowledge, and other global actors/entities played a monumental role in designing the Theory of Change framework.  How did these partnerships evolve over time? In your paper Theory of Change Technical Papers (Dr. Dana H. Taplin, Dr. Heléne Clark, Eoin Collins, and David C. Colby)  and Basics, A Primer on Theory of Change, (Dr. Dana H. Taplin, Dr. Heléne Clark), you mention the importance of long-term goals and back mapping a series of interconnected interventions in the short, medium, and long term to achieve outcomes. This concept was revolutionary and counterintuitive to the prevailing thought of following forward-looking indicators to make a long-term change. Please, explain the process of enunciating a simple example to understand the idea better? *How does the qualitative framework of the Theory of Change facilitate a change in the outcome through casually linked interventions? Can you explain through a simple example?  In the PACE Theory of Change: Discussion Paper Prepared by Zabi Rahat and Eoin Collins, highlights the importance of driving long-term outcome-driven change within the civic societies significantly through universities. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has identified ways in which universities can engage in sustainable development goals. 1 How and in what ways should universities use Theory of Change as a tool to implement a holistic mindset change among students. How can ToC engage sustainable development goals as part of the curriculum in educational institutes? Helene chat about your flagship course, the certification course in Theory of Change. How does the course educate people on the theory? How will the certification help in catalyzing a successful and effective career for people within the international development sector? Theory of Change is an important part of impact evaluation, to understand the impact of interventions in accelerating outcome change.Helene, as a leading expert on ToC, how do you think the Theory of Change will evolve not only within the global development sector but also in organizations and civic societies as a strategic tool in driving long-term change in the future. You think it's even more critical especially during the time of the pandemicBefore we go to the last question, please share any message for professionals and students who want to make a career in social impactFinally, share with everyone any Aha moment that brings happiness to you. Helene, I deeply appreciate for sharing your thoughts and time as an expert on a strategic tool and technique for understanding, planning, and implementing a long-lasting change within our work and lives. Thank you and hope to keep in touch.   Apple | Spotify | Google | Listen Notes | TuneIn  |  Cast Box    References Theory of Change Technical PapersTheory of Change Basics, A Primer on Theory of Change: Helene Clark and Dana TaplinActKnowledge Presents Theory of Change Online – YouTube videoThe Community Builder’s Approach to a practical guide to theory development Andrea A. Anderson, Ph.D PACE Theory of Change: Discussion Paper Prepared by Zabi Rahat and Eoin Collins

Nishant Malhotra is the Sole Founder of The middle Road platform and host of podcast series The middle Road.  This the audio version of the video interview series - Illumo.  Nishant Malhotra has an MBA from China Europe International Business School, Shanghai, China and from Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, (SIBM) Pune, India. nishant has a MPA from Ford School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.  A slight correction. Nishant mentions about impact measurement, the framework is SROI.  SIBM is a leading business school in India.  SIBM Team: "SIBM Pune is delighted to have hosted Mr. Nishant Malhotra, Founder and CEO, The Middle Road OPC Pvt Ltd. and our dear alumnus from the Batch of 2002 as a part of the video interview series - Illumo. 'Sustainable Finance' has emerged as the new buzz word but it has also unfurled new career paths for future corporate leaders. While the interview did revolve around the scope and trends related to Sustainable Finance, by leveraging his experience and knowledge, Mr. Malhotra also explained other topics such as Impact Investing, Green Bond Market Development, Partnership for Action on Green Economy and more. This was a wonderful opportunity to have learnt lessons from an industry leader in the field of finance. We are grateful to Mr. Nishant Malhotra for his time and guidance and will continue to have more such knowledgeable conversations as a part of the Illumo series." Highlighted section is message from the SIBM team.