I remember the day we received the broadcast calling for applications for the UNHCR Innovation Fellowship 2013-2014 and how it got my attention immediately. The programme was launched in July 2013, my supervisor was on leave by then, and even though there was enough time for the application process (over a month), I straightaway forwarded him the email asking for his support to apply (which I fortunately received). I was encouraged with the idea of receiving training on innovative design thinking and becoming part of a global network.
The application form for the Innovation fellowship was actually a challenging one; the first question we had to answer was “What is innovation, and why is it important to your work?” It may sound as a simple question, but while I was drafting the answer I found that even if Innovation is a very common concept nowadays (for example in the private sector and for the creation of new technologies) maybe is not such a usual word in our daily work at UNHCR. After several thoughts I wrote the following answer:
“Innovation is thinking in new possibilities, is “thinking outside the box” and rethinking the way UNHCR works. I believe innovation takes us to new answers to the questions of what, who and how:
What? Innovation is the ability to analyze and assess the challenges or protection gaps that affects our persons of concern (PoC) from a new perspective and from an integral approach. Having a new comprehension of the challenges, innovation leads to the creation of new strategies to solve an issue (…).
Who? Innovation is working together as a team. Innovation is a way of working that brings PoC to the center of our daily work, and reinforces the connection and communication between UNHCR colleagues, implementing partners, governments and other external partners that might not be considered allies from a traditional perspective (as it could be the private sector). Collaboration between stakeholders is a key aspect of innovation.
How? In order to have a new vision of challenges and possible solutions, innovation leads to the use of new methodologies, tools, resources and technologies (…)”.
The Innovation fellowship began with the Inaugural workshop held in Bangkok. I traveled for almost 40 hours to get to the other side of the globe. The first day of training I had a horrible jetlag (13 hours difference) and I was feeling anxious and a little bit threatened with the idea of joining such an important initiative. However my fears began to diminish at the moment I entered the training room; there was music playing and the trainers welcomed us with a big smile and a friendly attitude. There were some posters on the wall with the rules of the workshop with phrases such as “Simon says build a team” “Every voice counts” “Do it right and it will last”.
During the workshop, we (the ifellows) received training on innovation facilitation, research, prioritization, prototyping, introduction to project management, and others. Through the training we had the chance to share with very important guests speakers, as the Deputy High Commissioner, Mr. Alexander Aleinikoff and Johan Segergren from Google Thailand. And beyond the amazing lectures, I believe that the highlight of the week is how we actually built a team and collaborated with each other in order to deliver an innovation project proposal at the end of the training; and I believe this was the main outcome of the week not only because it was very fun, but mainly because from my perspective this is the essence of innovation… teamwork and collaboration (as the workshop rules poster said “build a team”).
Now that I have the chance to reflect about my first thoughts on the concept of innovation, I found several connections to what we have learned so far through the fellowship. Let me share with you some of these lessons…
- Innovation is about human dynamics. The best innovations come from collaboration, teamwork and participative approaches; and to encourage innovation within a team, it is fundamental to reinforce at all levels of the organization an environment of trust, open communication and support; as the trainers certainly did in the workshop.
- Innovation is “thinking outside the box” and to do so the first step we should take as an organization is to be aware that we are in a “box”. Innovation leads us to shift our focus and our views.
- Innovation is working together and building a project from collective ideas. The facilitation skills are very important in order to bring together and then narrowing down the ideas of the team. Interdisciplinary and multifunctional teams are a key motor for innovation.
- Every voice counts (as the poster of the workshop said) and in an innovation process there are no “silly” or illogical ideas. It is important to have an open mind to new ideas, and be able to listen!
- You can’t do it alone. For innovation you need new partners and tools. It is important to look for the expertise outside of UNHCR and receive their feedback and support.
- Our persons of concern should always be at the center of an innovation project design (and of course in every action we do in our daily job in UNHCR). Let’s keep in mind that persons of concern are the real experts; they are the one who understand their experiences, needs and capacities, and therefore they should always be our focus in any initiative we design. We should always be connected to the people we serve.
In conclusion, I believe Innovation is not only about doing new things, but also about establishing a new way of working and a new culture within our organization. Having these reflections in mind, I am trying to apply my innovation fellowship tasks in the Costa Rica operation through an open participation with all, my colleagues, our implementing partner and of course with refugees. I will share with you about this experience in an upcoming blog.
Read more about Valentina and her project here.
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