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UNDP joins the 2022 Learning Festival on shifting systems towards better futures

  • November 24, 2022
  • PORTFOLIO DEVELOPMENT, STRATEGIC INNOVATION

“On the surface we’re hitting our targets. But my big fear is that nothing fundamental is changing. We’re not shifting the underlying dynamics that are driving the problem in the first place.”

Over 5 days, the 2022 Learning Festival will take a deep dive into the practical realities of shifting systems in conversation with 50 of the boldest system innovators around the world. It’ll be looking at what it means to shift a system, not just scale a solution. In many contexts, scale matters – but scale without shift will not get us the impact we are looking for – particularly when it comes to issues where the very premise of the systems we have now needs to evolve.

The programme brings together innovators to share their stories of doing the practical work of shifting systems around the world, in health, education, food, welfare, justice, work, economic development, reconciliation and beyond.

UNDP will be participating in a session on November 30 on new approaches to evaluation emerging to support system innovation efforts. The session will highlight new practices in action, in conversation with: Nina Strandberg, Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) (SE); Søren Vester Haldrup and Yaera Chung (US and Central Asia) on the UNDP’s Monitoring and Evaluation Sandbox; Rob Ricigliano, Omidyar Network (US); Bonnie Chiu, The Social Investment Consultancy (UK); Anna Folke Larsen, ROCKWOOL Foundation Intervention Unit (DK) on impact evaluations of principle-based interventions and Beth Smith, Cynefin Group (DK) on the role of mass storytelling in uncovering the trajectories of system change.

The Learning Festival is an opportunity to listen, share, explore, discover, ideate and discuss for anyone who:

  • Are trying to tackle complex challenges in new ways
  • Want to create fairer, sustainable, better systems for future generations
  • Want to tune your work, your venture, your funds or your strategies to have more system impact 
  • Are committed to making the deeper shifts needed 
  • Are looking to learn from and connect to others taking a similar approach
  • Need some hope and inspiration!

Join the festival for an inspiring and honest deep-dive into the practical realities of system innovation towards a better future. See the full programme here and register!

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