Why celebrate impact?

Audacity, relationality, and celebration – all three rained through the city of Oxford as delegates and changemakers from across the globe flocked to the world’s largest gathering of social innovators.

For a lot of delegates, it was a moment to revel in each other’s company, getting together in person for the first time since 2019. But in the quieter moments, in between enthusiastic conversations and pacing across the city to catch every session possible, it was a moment of necessary introspection.

It's only when you stand in a room filled with inspirational and passionate changemakers that you ponder, why act in the service of impact at all, and if you choose to, what does it really take? For me, the answer to both those questions was the same. As Don Gips said at the opening ceremony, the Skoll World Forum is a celebration of the audacity of impact.

"Working in impact is unique because it’s an act of rebellion - to think beyond the systems that cage us, imagining a better world for all, and having the courage to drive towards it."

Audacity

Implicit in audacity is hope for a better future and optimism that change is possible, and the latest cohort of Skoll Awardees – inspiring organisations from Brazil, Indonesia, South Africa, and the United States – reflect exactly that. Be it enabling resilient democratic institutions, equity in health, bolder movements in climate, the awardees are accelerating social change by challenging existing knowledge, systems, and norms.

Relationality

But audacity needs community to thrive. Systems, initiatives, and programmes are all made up of relationships, which are the essential fabric of impact. Impact only grows in scale and depth when interconnected with other movements. This is why platforms like the Skoll World Forum are essential, to bring bold people together to share their audacious view of the world, and to find the power of community in work that can otherwise seem lonesome.

Beyond just community, platforms bring unusual and brave actors together to create something that’s bigger and bolder than the sum of their individual parts. It's in the moments of deep engagement that you see how interconnectedness between impact movements is not just theoretical - the climate justice movement is also a health equity movement. As Former US Vice President Al Gore stated, the climate crisis, authoritarianism, and other pressing issues are all connected.

Celebration

Collective impact is a cause for celebration, even though it's difficult to talk about celebrating in the same breath as the existential threats and systemic challenges that we all work on. But celebration matters more now than it ever has.

Celebrating impact in the face of adversity is the essential ‘food’, ‘fuel’, and ‘fire’ that keeps us going (borrowing from Pat Mitchell’s discussion with Ava DuVernay). The human spirit to survive, to get up each day to rebel once more, and to think beyond oneself for the larger community and the world, are all reasons to celebrate. Impact is indeed work of spreading joy!

Abhinav Verma is a social impact professional and current MBA student at Sa?d Business School, University of Oxford , currently leading the Social Impact Oxford Business Network as the Co-Chair. Prior to the MBA, he led The Rockefeller Foundation ’s strategy, philanthropic investments, and influence in Asia. Abhinav is a lawyer by training with an expertise in international law and diplomacy and has previously worked with the Indian government on its digital health ambitions. He also supports the Skoll Centre as a community and convenings advisor.