2
DURING 10 YEARS OF INNOVATING, LEARNING AND IMPACT WE’VE LEARNED ONE BIG IMPORTANT LESSON LESSON: WE CAN’T JUST FIGHT POVERTY The last decade has seen significant progress and success in Africa’s development, specifically in areas that involve clear cause and effect relationships. Vaccinating children saves lives. Building schools breaks the cycle of poverty and creates prosperity through education. In instances like these, significant external investments can successfully “fight” poverty. However, it’s not always that simple. Cause and effect aren’t always so clearly defined, and applying the same direct approach to more complex problems is often ineffective or detrimental. Governance. Market development. Agriculture. The same model of external intervention ends up addressing the problems, but not solving them. Wells for those who are thirsty or subsidized agricultural goods for farmers both seem like logical interventions. But what happens when the well breaks down, or farmers lack access to markets to sell their crops? Or worse, what happens when external help creates dependency and causes African leaders to make decisions based on donor expectations? In the case of complex development issues, massive institutional and individual investment can only serve to address symptoms, when we really need to be looking at the system. LEARNED: WE MUST OUTSMART IT Different approaches are required when the problem involves significant interdependencies. They are rooted in detailed systems analysis, establishing and testing hypotheses, and the identification of influencers and leverage points. The path to real change is rarely clear, and what’s needed is an iterative, flexible approach that leaves room for failure, learning and refinement before lasting impact is achieved. This intelligent approach lies at the heart of EWB Canada’s work to outsmart poverty. Our staff, members and volunteers ask why there are no wells, not how one can be drilled. They ask why farmers fail to prosper, not how we can get them fertilizer. That’s EWB Canada’s path to systemic change and lasting impact - we identify incredibly talented people in Africa and Canada, we help them realize their full potential as change-makers, and we support them as they conceive, test, refine and implement the systemic change ventures and ideas that will end extreme poverty. Public Services in Africa Effective public service delivery, in areas such as water, infrastructure and education, is crucial for Africa’s development. However, public sector capacity in many African countries remains low, and the relationship between the foreign aid sector and governments needs improvement. Our ventures in this portfolio seek to accelerate public service sustainability, efficiency and effectiveness. Social Business and Market Development in Africa Untapped and underdeveloped markets — for example, in agriculture, finance and business services — slow prosperity gains and poverty reduction in many African countries. Our ventures in this portfolio tap new markets or improve existing efforts to connect producers and consumers in Africa to domestic and international markets. Canadian Government Policy and Political Processes affecting Africa The Canadian government has an inconsistent and underinvested-in relationship with Africa. Politics and bureaucratic structures limit creativity, efficiency and effectiveness of the Canadian International Development Agency and other parts of the federal government. Furthermore, citizens are not broadly or deeply engaged in this policy area. Our ventures in this portfolio aim to influence different parts of the policy and political process, from citizen engagement through to law – making. Ethical Consumption in Canada Canadian consumers have the potential to be a powerful force in accelerating Africa’s development, through directly contributing to African country economies and by changing the relationships Canadians have with Africa. Our ventures in this portfolio recognize the potential consumers have for real impact, and empower ethical consumption in Canada through marketing, product development, policy development and movement building. Youth Leadership Throughout history, young leaders have been the source of massive, generational and transformative change. This will continue to be the case today and in the future, in Canada and throughout Africa. Our ventures in this portfolio create new ways to engage youth in social issues and unlock the potential of youth leaders to create change. Transforming Engineering Engineers and the engineering profession have incredible potential as a source of talent and leadership to solve society’s largest, most complex challenges. However, the way that engineers are trained and think about their roles is too limited. Our ventures in this portfolio change the way engineering is taught, the way engineering is perceived, and the way the engineering sector frames its own role in society. Mining Affecting Africa Canada is the world’s largest home to mining companies. The mining operations of these companies have both positive and negative effects in African countries. In either case, there is potential for greater impact. Our ventures in this portfolio invest in the best ideas that will unlock more benefit for Africans and African countries from mining operations. Engineers Without Borders Canada 312 Adelaide Street West, Suite 302 Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5V 1R2 1-866-481-3696 | [email protected] | www.ewb.ca “IF CHANGE ISN’T SYSTEMIC, IT ISN’T CHANGE AT ALL…” OUR PORTFOLIO: EWB Canada’s areas of invest ments
