David served as the youngest UK Foreign Secretary in three decades, driving advancements in human rights and representing the UK throughout the world. His accomplishments have earned him a reputation, in former President Bill Clinton's words, as "one of the ablest, most creative public servants of our time.”
David talks candidly about the invaluable work of the International Rescue Committee (IRC), the plight of refugees and displaced persons, and sheds light on the differences between being the foreign minister of a permanent member of the UN Security Council and leading one of the worlds most impactful NGOs.
The IRC was founded by Albert Einstein, who was in Princeton, in the USA, when Hitler came to power. And he founded the International Rescue Committee, the Emergency Rescue Committee at the time, in the 1930s, and he founded the organisation out of a burning sense that while he was safe, so many others were not safe from the Nazis.
The IRC is an organisation whose purpose is to help people whose lives are shattered by conflict, persecution and disaster. They work in 40 countries, in what David calls the ‘arc of crisis’, from the war zone in Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan, through to the internally displaced, the homeless in their own country, who have had to flee to the houses of cousins or strangers in refugee hosting states. The IRC is an $825 million a year organisation, with 13,000 employees.
David sheds light on his journey, from UK politics to the NGO world; he delves into the differences between the two and the benefit of having experienced both. He describes the IRC as an organisation that is about solutions rather than suffering.
For a full transcript of this conversation, visit The Do One Better! Podcast website at Lidji.org
Please click the ‘subscribe’ button on your favourite podcast app and please share widely with others — thank you!
CEO of Atlas Corps, Bidjan Nashat, on building a talent pool from the Global South and breaking down the barriers to diverse talent.
CEO of the Elton John AIDS Foundation, Anne Aslett, on tackling the stigma around HIV/AIDS, changing social norms and reaching the most marginalised
How to tackle the food crisis? Lawrence Haddad, Executive Director of the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) on what philanthropists, corporates + policymakers can do about the food crisis
Zane Wilemon, Co-Founder of the Ubuntu Life Foundation, shares his personal story of self-discovery, faith and social entrepreneurship. Inspirational work helping children with special needs in Kenya
What if you left your career in investment banking in London to become a farmer in South Africa? We speak with ‘Farmer Angus’ McIntosh — a leading voice in regenerative agriculture
Shane Ryan, Global Executive Director of the Avast Foundation, on equity and inclusion within the digital space; trust-based philanthropy, inclusive co-design and much more
Cath Dovey, Co-Founder of the Beacon Collaborative, on what stops people from giving more philanthropically in the UK and what can be done about it.
Olivia Leland, Founder and CEO of Co-Impact, on their new Gender Fund and the importance of keeping equity, inclusion and justice at the core of systems change thinking
CEO of Porticus, Melanie Maas Geesteranus. Porticus is perhaps the biggest philanthropic organisation that you have never heard of! We delve into their philanthropic work and rich history
Caroline Casey, Founder of the Valuable 500, on leveraging the power of business for disability inclusion
Let’s leverage data to drive forward the Sustainable Development Goals! Claudia Juech on helping non-profits embrace and leverage data
James Chen: Moonshot philanthropy and providing access to affordable eye care
Gemma Bull and Tom Steinberg on modern grantmaking and positive change
Let’s eliminate poverty in India within our lifetime! Atul Satija, Founder & CEO of The/Nudge Institute, tackles a grand ambition
Social Investing at scale in Australia: a conversation with Michael Traill AM
In defence of charities: an interview with Debra Allcock Tyler, Chief Executive of the Directory of Social Change (DSC)
CEO of Ella’s Kitchen, Mark Cuddigan, on driving sustainable business at the UK’s No.1 baby food company
Deval Sanghavi, Co-Founder of Dasra, joins Alberto Lidji to discuss strategic philanthropy in India
Let’s transform education systems by reigniting intrinsic motivation! The Chair and CEO of STiR Education, Jo Owen and Girish Menon, explain why motivation is key to success
Transforming lives by setting up kids’ operating rooms and training paediatric surgeons in low and middle income countries. Garreth Wood, Chair of KidsOR, talks about need, solutions + economic impact
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The emPOWERed Half Hour
Social Dallas Podcast
Delivering Solidarity
Change Church Podcast
Six Degrees with Kevin Bacon
Fundraising is Funny