Yesterday afternoon, an engaging event took place at the United Nations Headquarters Bookstore, featuring a meet and greet with the author of the impactful book *"From Ideas to Impact: A Handbook for Influencing and Implementing Change"*. This event drew thought leaders and change-makers from around the world to discuss the pivotal role of ideas in driving global change.
The author meet and greet was hosted by Maher Nasser, Director of the Outreach Division in the UN Department of Global Communications. In his opening remarks, Nasser emphasized the importance of reading and knowledge accumulation in human development and pointed out that the book *"From Ideas to Impact"* demonstrates how to turn ideas into action, making it an essential guide for driving global change. He praised author Mick Sheldrick for his efforts, stating that the book is an indispensable tool for those looking to make an impact in policy-making and implementation.
Mick Sheldrick then shared his motivation and process in writing the book. He recounted how he played a key role in the global polio eradication campaign and successfully persuaded the Australian government to restore funding to the project. He noted that the recent reemergence of polio in the context of the severe situation in Gaza highlights the importance of political leadership and humanitarian aid. He urged world leaders to adopt strategies similar to the historical "Days of Tranquility" to pause conflicts and vaccinate children, thereby preventing more deaths from preventable diseases.
Yasmine Sherif, the current Executive Director of Education Cannot Wait (ECW), also shared her thoughts on the book. She stated that *"From Ideas to Impact"* is not only a captivating read but also a practical guide for effecting change in a challenging world. She particularly highlighted the importance of the "power of storytelling" mentioned in the book, especially in the field of education. She discussed how storytelling can touch people's emotions and inspire them to take action when facing complex global issues. She added that as a leader in the field of education, she is keenly aware of the profound impact that education during the formative years has on the future, making this book an indispensable resource for educators and policymakers.
Former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein spoke highly of the book, calling it "an important resource for finding inspiration in today's divided world." He discussed the need for idealism and pragmatism to coexist in today's world, and this book serves as a guide to achieving that balance. He also mentioned that while the book is already comprehensive, some critical global issues, such as the fossil fuel industry and deliberate disruptions to the international order, need further exploration in future works. He stressed the importance of the book's key concept of transcending political and geopolitical boundaries to solve global problems with a spirit of cooperation.
During the interactive session, two audience members posed thought-provoking questions. The first asked, "How do you handle power plays and political maneuvering when pushing for international development and policy change? Are there different tools for change for resource-poor, less powerful, and marginalized groups compared to stronger ones?" Mick Sheldrick responded that while addressing these issues requires a wealth of knowledge and precise strategies, courage and moral clarity can compensate for a lack of knowledge. Maintaining moral consistency and speaking out boldly is crucial, even under significant pressure.
The second audience member asked, "In today's information age, how can we effectively spread the right information and curb the spread of misinformation?" Yasmine Sherif responded that it starts with family and education, fostering moral values and critical thinking in the younger generation. She emphasized that parents and educators play a key role in this process, teaching children honesty and respect for others, thereby nurturing upright and responsible future citizens.
Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein also commented on this issue, adding that the spread of misinformation in today's world is often a purposeful and organized act, potentially driven by economic interests or political motives. He noted that the international community and governments must maintain transparency in knowledge and information and encourage citizens to engage actively in social dialogue. He also emphasized that the United Nations can play a greater role in maintaining the authenticity of information and moral consistency, especially in promoting global cooperation to address these issues.
The event concluded with a lively discussion among the guests on the power of storytelling in mobilizing public action, a central theme of Sheldrick's book. Attendees unanimously agreed that stories have a powerful ability to resonate and have become an important tool in advocacy and policy-making.
Attendees were invited to purchase copies of *"From Ideas to Impact"* and take the opportunity to have them signed by the author. The book is now available at the UN Headquarters Bookstore and other major retailers.