In 2018, Azim Premji University launched a “Stories of Change: Case study challenge” inviting detailed analytical case studies from state and civil society organisations on social interventions enhancing human, social or sustainable development outcomes. The motivation behind this exercise is a) to recognise some of the excellent works being done towards social change, and b) to recognise the value of knowledge from such interventions for wider dissemination, among practitioners and for use in academia.
Out of 268 initial registrations and 95 final submissions, the winners were selected through a two stage process by faculty panels. The jury decided on one winner, two joint runners-up and three ‘special mentions’. The selected organizations are:
Centre for Social Justice; CEHAT; eWIT; WGWLO; PRADAN; Foundation for Education, Ecology and Livelihood
On April 20, 2019 the award ceremony for the Stories of Change where held at the University campus to honour the winner, runners-up, and special mention organisations with citation and prize money. The VC of University Anurag Behar; Director of School of Development Ashok Sircar and other faculty members were present at the ceremony.
Dr. Rajesh Tandon, founder of PRIA, and Co-Chair, UNESCO Chair on Community Based Research and Social Responsibility in Higher Education was invited as the key note speaker for the ceremony. In his keynote address, Dr. Tandon mentioned the importance of practice and knowledge creation at sites of social interventions/ action. He also said that higher education must be for public good and for that to happen, disciplines can’t remain isolated from the real world. That is why, Universities like Azim Premji University must work closely with organizations who are working with communities and capturing ‘Stories of Change’ is a right step towards that direction.
