I recently had the opportunity to participate in Unleash Rwanda. Unleash is a non-profit organization with a mission to accelerate positive change toward the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by mobilizing young, talented people in community leadership, problem-solving and launching social and environmental solutions. Through a competitive selection, this gathering brought together aspiring changemakers from around the world to tackle challenges within seven thematic tracks, including Financial Inclusion (SDG 1 & 10), Non-Communicable Diseases (SDG 3), Sexual and Reproductive Health (SDG 3 and 5), Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Youth in Work (SDG 4, 8 & 9), Reliable and Renewable Energy (SDG 7), Circular Economy (SDG 12), and Climate Action and Land Use (SDG 13 & 15). Set in the vibrant city of Kigali, Unleash Rwanda was a significant moment as the first-ever Unleash event on the African continent. Prior to Unleash Rwanda, this global initiative has taken place annually (since 2017) in various countries worldwide, including Singapore, China, Greenland, and India. This was a proud moment for me as a Rwandan, and I was excited for the participants from all over the world to experience the Rwandan culture.
Empowering Change Through Unleash Innovation Methodology
As a program consultant at the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute, I enjoy delving into complex research tasks, both in the field and at my desk. I saw the Unleash program as a valuable opportunity to enhance the critical thinking skills that are essential for effectively tackling research challenges. Additionally, as a passionate advocate for people and communities, I was inspired by the practical and sustainable approach to solving real-world challenges taught at Unleash. The human-centered Unleash Innovation Methodology was the framework used by all participants to develop solutions to their assigned issue and SDG goal. Focused on SDG 7—reliable and renewable energy—my team’s mission aimed to combat air pollution caused by coal burning in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia. Although the assigned track initially felt a bit outside of my comfort zone, diving into this new territory turned out to be a great experience.
Methodology Steps:
1. Problem Framing: The journey began with a focused exploration of user needs and clear insights. Our “users” were low-income parents of children who faced respiratory complications due to the air pollution. Burning coal was their sole source of heat during the cold winter months, as they had no access to central heating systems. By defining the problem based on these insights, our team laid a solid foundation for addressing the challenge at hand.
2. Ideation: Collaborative brainstorming sessions brought our diverse team together and informed creative solutions that could revolutionize our approach to the identified problem. Our team members came from diverse backgrounds, including technology, agriculture and architecture and originated from many countries, including Mongolia, Mozambique, and Burundi. This diversity in both origin and professional expertise fueled our collective effort to challenge traditional thinking and explore innovative ideas.
3. Prototyping: In the limited timeframe of a week, we drew out our ideas and evolved them into tangible prototypes. This phase offered a glimpse into the potential practicality of our solutions and was a bridge between personal passion and real-world impact for me.
4. Testing: Although we did not get to the testing stage during the event, the methodology underscored the importance of iterative processes. Testing the solution with users, learning and adapting are crucial steps that follow the initial prototyping phase.
5. Implementing: Like the testing step, the implementation of our solutions was a step to be taken after the Unleash Lab. The methodology's final steps emphasized planning and launching impactful solutions and recognized the journey's continuation beyond the Lab's one-week duration.
Navigating Team Dynamics
Unleash Rwanda showed me that effective teamwork is not a given; it's a continual effort requiring intention and dedication. On the first day of the Innovation Lab, we engaged in team-building activities that set the tone for a journey beyond mere cooperation. Focused conversations delved into individual values and behaviors, creating a collaborative dynamic where we maximized each other's strengths and readily supported areas that weren't our strong suit.
Under the facilitation of Radouan Torkmani, an engineer and a member of the first Unleash cohort in 2017, our team thrived. His attentiveness to our well-being, recognition of achievements and guidance on opportunities for improvement formed the cornerstone of our successful collaboration. He also played an important role in helping us understand and use the Unleash Methodology since it was new to everyone on our team.
Insights on Leadership:
My experience with Radouan as our facilitator taught me that leadership is more than providing solutions – it's also creating an environment that empowers each team member to tap into their strengths. A leader, in the truest sense, fosters independence and growth within the team, limiting overdependence on a single figurehead. Amidst all the uncertainty, each of us was empowered to tap into our creativity in our own unique ways.
Conclusion
At Unleash Rwanda, collaboration propelled us toward impactful solutions. The intentional effort invested, coupled with the guidance of a thoughtful facilitator, created an environment where innovation thrived. The Unleash Methodology is a tool I eagerly look forward to sharing with social entrepreneurs in the agriculture sector. Beyond the transformative experiences within the event, the invaluable connections forged with like-minded individuals have grown into a powerful network, nurturing both my personal and professional development. Unleash Rwanda has left a lasting impression on us, shaping not only the solutions we envisioned but also the collaborative spirit that continues to propel positive change.
Encouragement for Aspiring Social Entrepreneurs
To aspiring young social entrepreneurs, I extend an invitation to engage with organizations like Unleash. Unleash Rwanda taught me the power of collaborative innovation. It is a valuable experience to be a part of this transformative journey, bridge the gap from idea to implementation and contribute to shaping a sustainable future. Through Unleash Rwanda, I was honored to participate in an event that transcends borders, challenges norms, and amplifies the voices of the next generation in addressing global challenges.
