The ongoing refugee crisis has left 65.3 million people displaced worldwide. Generations of refugees have not been able to access higher education or employment opportunities. This is especially true for female refugees.
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) and the Scalabrini Center are working to change this by providing access to education and US-accredited degrees to refugees. They're looking to increase enrollment by female students to 50% - and they need your help!
+Acumen Challenges are two-hour virtual events where participants apply their skills to real challenges facing real social enterprises working alongside teammates from around the world.
Join hundreds of your peers at our next challenge working with the SNHU's Global Education Movement and their partners at the Scalabrini Center. You’ll get a crash course in behavioral psychology and then apply those concepts to help address this challenge.
What do I need to do to qualify to attend?
All are welcome - no required skills or prerequisites needed.
We suggest you review Dan Ariely’s Master Class on Changing Customer Behavior as you’ll be able to apply ideas from the course during the Challenge. Use the code CHALLENGE to access each for $18.
If all are welcome, why do I need to apply?
We want to make sure we've got a diverse group of participants working on the challenge. An application lets us get to know participants in advance and make sure we've got people ready to roll up their sleeves.
What technology do I need for the challenge?
You'll need to have access to a steady internet connection and the ability to access collaborative tools like Google Docs. The challenge doesn't require video calling.
Do I need to find my own team?
Nope! We'll randomly assign you to one before the challenge.
Step 1: APPLY
Complete the application by April 16th to reserve your spot at the challenge
Step 2: READ THE CHALLENGE BRIEF
On April 20th, receive background information on the challenge they're facing. Take about 30 minutes to review it.
Step 3: GET SET UP ON THE PLATFORM
On April 27th, receive your team assignment and access to the virtual Challenge platform. Log in and greet your teammates from around the world.
Step 4: CHALLENGE DAY!
On April 28th at 10AM ET, log into the Challenge Platform early to get ready for an energizing 2 hours of learning and problem solving! At the end, all of your ideas will be submitted to the social enterprise.
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) has launched a major initiative to bring university degrees to refugees around the world, at no cost to the learner. The Global Education Movement (GEM) initiativebring SNHU’s online, competency-based bachelor’s and associate degrees to refugees and others affected by displacement.
The project is grounded in and shaped by our pioneering work with vulnerable learners and refugees in Rwanda’s capital of Kigali and in the remote Kiziba refugee camp. Over the next two years we will prove our capacity to create a truly global model by continuing in Rwanda while expanding to Kenya, Malawi, South Africa and Lebanon.
In all of our site locations we will serve both refugees and displaced populations alongside vulnerable host community learners and anyone affected by displacement.
This Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town has been providing services to refugees and migrants since 1994. The Scalabrini Centre is committed to alleviating poverty and promoting development in the Western Cape while fostering integration between migrants, refugees and South Africans. In providing assistance, Scalabrini advocates respect for human rights and uses a holistic approach that considers all basic needs.
The Centre’s ultimate objective is to foster the cultural, social and economic integration of migrants, refugees and South Africans into local society. The Centre offers 6 central services to refugee learners, and is thrilled to offer the BASP (Bachelor’s Support PRogramme) in Scalabrini’s English School.
SNHU is partnering with the Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town to facilitate access to the degree program through provision of academic support, technology and learning labs, and additional student support services for employment.
+Acumen is a new kind of school, designed for people with a burning desire to help change the world. People like you. We provide the tools, leadership skills and global community necessary to create effective social change by offering free and affordable online courses. With more than 500,000 signups from over 190 countries, what are you waiting for? Learn more at http://plusacumen.org/
+Acumen is an initiative of Acumen. Acumen is changing the way the world tackles poverty by investing in companies, leaders and ideas. We invest patient capital in businesses whose products and services are enabling the poor to transform their lives. Founded by Jacqueline Novogratz in 2001, Acumen has invested more than $113 million in 108 companies across Africa, Latin America, South Asia and the United States. We are also developing a global community of emerging leaders with the knowledge, skills and determination to create a more inclusive world.
