Highlights: Learning Event 2023

There is a critical need to bridge the gap between corporate visions and immediate community needs. Some communities grapple with necessities, often overlooked in favour of larger development goals. Direct engagement with communities is essential to hear their stories, understand their needs, and build trust.

It is emphasised that impact in communities might not be immediately visible, requiring a shift in perspective towards evaluating the long-term effects rather than short-term gains.

Engaging in place-based research and involving communities in decision-making based on research findings fosters meaningful change.

Collaboration is identified as key yet fear of sharing risks impedes progress. There’s a call for synchronised efforts among IPPs, government, and communities for effective implementation.

The deep-seated historical trauma within communities requires a nuanced understanding and deliberate efforts to engage and heal communities from past wounds for sustainable development. It is important to facilitate trauma-informed leadership to address trauma, fostering resilient leaders capable of leading communities towards healing and development.

There is an opportunity to harness the youth demographic for economic advancement. This necessitates a concentrated focus on skills development and nurturing the potential of younger generations. Shifting human development outcomes to break the cycle of poverty requires understanding the root causes, including intangible barriers like cognitive development.

Justice in Energy Transition- recognising the need for justice and equitable benefits within energy transition initiatives, ensuring marginalised communities are not left behind. The energy transition should prioritise achieving justice and freedom and avoiding past mistakes impacting marginalised communities. Energy justice lies at the intersection of social justice, climate action, and energy systems.