Kanthari (International Institute for social Entrepreneurs and change makers)
Prasanth Nellickal
--Kanthari in Kerala, India, offers a 7 month leadership training course for visionaries and social change makers. It can also be seen as a “dream factory” which incubates credible and effective "change makers" and initiators who are committed to create ethical social change.
Get in touch!
Kanthari
International Institute for social Entrepreneurs and change makers
Vivekanenda Nagar, Vellayani, Nemom P.O.
Trivandrum, 695020 Kerala, India
Phone: +91 471 2395677
Mail: off...@iiseconnect.org
Kanthari (International Institute for social Entrepreneurs and change makers)
"A small Chilli can make a huge difference"
The idea to start a “dream factory” developed first in the Tibet autonomous Region, PR China. There, Sabriye Tenberken (German) and Paul Kronenberg (Dutch), established the first training centre for the blind including a preparatory school (1998). While facing a lot of challenges, one of the major obstacles was sceptical and discouraging voices of international experts.
“Stop dreaming! Stay on the ground!” were some of the most common statements. But against all odds, all dreams were realized in 7 years time. Through this experience, Paul and Sabriye understood the need for a specialized training facility. There, passionate people should be encouraged to dream big and the program should provide all necessary tools for each visionary to make his/her dream a reality. Thus, the International Institute for Social Entrepreneurs (IISE) was born.
When people hear the name "International Institute for Social Entrepreneurs" they often get the impression that it is something like a social business school or one of many "leadership training centres" with a social touch. But in fact it is less and much more than that. The Institute sees individuals anywhere in the world who, through innovative ideas, contribute to their communities in an ethical and positive way. Individuals who start schools for the blind, training centers for the disabled, all with new empowering approaches. Individuals who plan environmental projects, create technical innovations and create mind set changes by transforming concepts and challenge harmful traditional norms.
Is Kanthari just a training center?
Kanthari sees itself much more as a spring board for provocative thinkers and driven doers, for those who have the fire in the belly, for those who want to bring spice into society! We are searching for talented and charismatic personalities who have the guts to challenge the status quo and the spirit to come up with innovative solutions for old and new problems.
In hands-on, practical workshops conducted by international experts (named “catalysts”), participants are trained in public speaking, finance, project planning and fundraising. The curriculum includes creating innovative project ideas, writing of project proposals and conducting social marketing campaigns. Participants are advised in legal aspects of starting a project and learn how to set up effective and ethical programs. The institute fosters participants from all over the world. Some have university degrees while others have little to no formal education. Some are blind or physically disabled, others have no disabilities at all. Important is a sense of ownership, motivation, creativity, talent and passion to make the world a better place and the strength to be forces of good rather than victims of circumstance.
Over the past three years, 64 participants have graduated from the IISE, many of whom have started their dream projects already and are acting as Kantharis in their communities.
Prasanthkumar Nellickal
| Catalyst | International Institute for Social Entrepreneurs [IISE] |
| Braille Without Borders | pras...@iiseconnect.org | www.bwb-iise.org |
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