Liberté, egalité, Chakrabarti! Or Channeling your inner Kidd

Social entrepreneurs are people driven to meet an unmet need: men and women who see injustice and decide that they themselves will right it. It takes a lot however to take that leap from outrage to action. Social entrepreneurs can be comforted by the now well-developed ecosystem of support out there;* but sometimes you need a bit of inspiration too. What then, could be better than hearing about the roots of one of Britain’s most revered human rights’ organizations, Liberty (www.liberty-human-rights.org.uk)?


On Wednesday 19th January 2011, Shami Chakrabarti, Director of Liberty, gave a talk that would have empowered any would-be social entrepreneur. It’s easy to think of well-respected organizations, as enormous, impenetrable institutions that have always existed, but Liberty started in 1932 with one man outraged by police violence at a peaceful protest. Ronald Kidd turned that outrage into action. He spent the next year spreading awareness about the importance of peaceful protest, and managed to convene what must rank as the all-time most impressive inaugural meeting of an NGO. In February of 1934 HG Wells, Vera Brittain, Dr. Edith Summerskill, Clement Atlee, Kingsley Martin, and Prof. Harold Laski all joined Ronald Kidd in writing a letter to the Manchester Guardian to announce they were starting the National Council for Civil Liberties. 75 years later and the same organization continues to protect civil liberties and promote human rights in the UK. So for those of you who have a great idea, but are worried that it might not come off, or that you don’t have it in you to lead - think of Ronald Kidd. As Goethe said, “At the moment of commitment the entire universe conspires to assist you.” Go out there, meet the need and you’ll be amazed who will follow you and what you can achieve. Channel your inner Ronald! Take the leap.


*Great places to go for more information are Ashoka (www.ashoka.org) and Unltd, (www.unltd.org.uk) - social entrepreneurship organizations who will both be featuring in the Beyond Profit schedule this term. Do come along. Also worth checking out is the excellent School for Social Entrepreneurs (www.sse.org.uk).