Ashoka Convening Brings Together Visionary Leaders To Forge Roadmap For An 'Everyone A Changemaker' Society

In a two-day event, Ashoka Convening for the Public brought together a dynamic group of social entrepreneurs, leaders, and change-makers from across the country to discuss and shape a future where ‘Everyone is a Changemaker.’ The event, aimed at building a roadmap for a new societal framework, featured some of the most prominent figures in social entrepreneurship, including Magsaysay Awardee Bezwada Wilson and Phanindra Sama, Founder of Redbus.

The gathering, which took place over the weekend, brought together a mix of senior leaders already part of Ashoka’s extensive network, alongside influential individuals outside it. The convening aimed to ignite discussions on how to scale social change across India and beyond, focusing on empowering individuals to unleash their potential as changemakers.

Shruti Nair, Regional Leader at Ashoka Innovators for the Public, emphasised the importance of collaboration, stating, “Through this small group of entrepreneurs, we are jointly imagining a Peer to Peer network for discussing how India can unleash the changemaker ability across society.” The event’s agenda centred on sharing best practices, overcoming challenges, and exploring innovative solutions to build a more inclusive and impactful society.

Notable social entrepreneurs who participated included Gopi Gopal Krishnan, President of World Health Partners, and Smarinita Shetty, Founder of the Indian Development Review. The event also welcomed rising stars like Garvita Gulhati, known as the Water Girl of India, and Akarsh Shroff, a Forbes Asia 30 Under 30 honoree.

Bezwada Wilson, Senior Ashoka Fellow and renowned for his lifelong fight against manual scavenging shared his journey, reflecting on how witnessing injustice as a child sparked his lifelong commitment to social change. Phanindra Sama also highlighted the importance of developing a changemaker mindset from a young age, stressing that transformative ideas often stem from a deep sense of responsibility and curiosity.

The convening concluded with the creation of a collective framework for moving forward, aiming to establish a network of like-minded individuals committed to the vision of a society where everyone has the potential to drive meaningful change. The leaders left with a renewed sense of purpose and a shared commitment to building a world that encourages and nurtures changemakers at every level.

This gathering marks a pivotal step towards fostering a new societal model, where innovation, empathy, and collective action are at the forefront of driving social transformation.