TOR142: Creating An Innovation Mindset With Corrine Gray Of UNHCR

Terms Of Reference Podcast

One reason that innovation has become one of those words that you just cannot escape in social impact, is the fact that the institutions that have occupied this space for the bulk of history are the anthesis of what we would consider "shiny new objects." But really, if we sit back and think about it, for many (and maybe most, or even all) of them, the rapid or constant change that we associate with innovation is actually the exact opposite of what these institutions we're built to achieve. Seriously. The public relies on public structures like governments and international organizations for setting and maintaining rules and processes that ultimately lead to a common, knowable... and stable... environment in which we can run our lives. Injecting the change associated with innovation into any system or process creates uncertainty, which is the opposite of what the "institutionalization" of something seeks to achieve. All of this is to say that, its no wonder that realizing innovation within this sector is a massive challenge - and one that fascinates me to no end.

Luckily, this is something that my guest for the 142nd Terms of Reference Podcast knows a thing or two about. Corrine Gray is an Alternative Finance Specialist in the Innovation Unit at UNHCR, where she leads efforts to engage staff and refugees in open innovation. I'm confident you're going to enjoy our conversation about how UNHCR is working to develop an 'innovation mindset' and how that ultimately makes a difference for refugees.