Some of these examples come from the work of Mulberry Schools Trust in recent years. These are the type of opportunities that Mulberry Schools Foundation will extend to partner schools and communities nationally and internationally.
Innovating for change
…to enhance equality and social justice and open doors for young people and communities experiencing disadvantage, so building their capacity to make a difference to their world.
Thought Leaders
The Foundation launched its work to challenge and develop thinking in 2018 with a two-year “Thought Leader Residency” from Jude Kelly, former Artistic Director of the Southbank Centre and Founder of the Women of the World Foundation. Jude led a series of four events which enabled Tower Hamlets school students to generate, debate and celebrate their ideas and priorities on issues such as gender equality; race, masculinity and equality; Britishness and identity. The outcomes fed into a range of events in participants’ home schools where similar debates led by students resulted in commitments to action for change.
Mulberry Schools Foundation will provide residencies for “Thought Leaders” in a range of London/UK locations to generate, communicate and celebrate young people’s ideas and priorities for change in their world.
We must educate ourselves about everything if we want to inspire change for the better.
Student participant
Jude’s moderation of discussions was skilful and gave students lots of room to discuss potentially controversial issues in a very sensitive and safe environment.
Accompanying staff member
Launching initiatives
In 2015, Michelle Obama visited Mulberry School for Girls and launched her international “Let Girls Learn” initiative. The former First Lady was joined by Justine Greening, Former Secretary of State for International Development and Julia Gillard, Former Prime Minister of Australia to explore the challenges for girls’ education world-wide. She also inspired students and staff with a personal and frank account of the sources of her passion for change for the 62 million girls across the world who cannot access education.
Mulberry Schools Foundation will seek out leading educational and social thinkers and invite them to launch or present their own initiatives in partnership with the Foundation and its beneficiaries across the UK.
It is such a joy for me to visit this phenomenal school. For all of the brilliant, bold and beautiful young women here – I can’t wait to see all that you will achieve in the future.
Michelle Obama
I still can’t believe she chose us and our school. She’s inspired me to believe in myself and change the world.
Student
Research
The Foundation will conduct and commission research into areas of concern for the charity, making an international contribution to educational improvement, policy and knowledge. Research will particularly focus on the potential contribution of education to the advancement of equality and social justice and will draw on the voices and experiences of young people and other communities less often heard. The Foundation’s criteria for research are here.
