Social Entrepreneurship in Conflict

The Insights for Action seminar series explores how researchers and practitioners within and beyond Oxford are using research insights to drive social change. This seminar will discuss the work of social entrepreneurs in conflict and post-conflict settings, and lessons from their work for anyone working in these uncertain times.

In this month's seminar we will be joined by:

• Freshta Karim, Charmaghz;
• Shoshana Stewart, Turquoise Mountain; and
• Alona Revko, Saïd Business School and Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship

In a conversation moderated by Professor Marya Besharov, the speakers will discuss the pivotal role of social entrepreneurship in conflict and post-conflict settings.

Speakers:

Freshta Karim is the founder of Charmaghz, a Kabul-based NGO that runs Afghanistan’s largest network of mobile libraries for children, with a special focus on girls. Since its launch in 2018, Charmaghz has reached over one million children, providing access to literacy, numeracy, and critical thinking opportunities to those most impacted by conflict and poverty. Inspired by her early experience as a child reporter and TV show host in Afghanistan, Freshta has dedicated her career to creating safe, joyful, and inclusive learning spaces for children, especially girls. Her professional journey includes work with the Malala Fund, UN agencies, USAID, and the Afghan government, where she has served in roles from researcher to advocacy advisor. Freshta holds a Master of Public Policy from the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford. Her leadership and advocacy have earned her global recognition, including BBC's 100 Influential Women, Forbes 30 Under 30 in Social Entrepreneurship, and the title of Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum. Her vision for the next decade is bold: to establish 500 mini-libraries across Afghanistan, ensuring that every Afghan child has the opportunity to learn, imagine, and thrive.

Shoshana Stewart is the President of Turquoise Mountain, an NGO founded in 2006 in Afghanistan by His Majesty King Charles, to preserve cultural heritage and support artisans where their traditions are under threat. Shoshana joined Turquoise Mountain in Afghanistan in 2006 where she lived for five years, and has led the project create over 25,000 jobs, bring over $17 million of crafts to market, build the Institute for Afghan Arts and Architecture, restored over 150 historic buildings in the Old City of Kabul, and provided primary healthcare for almost 200,000 people. She has also expanded the project to work with Myanmar, Saudi, Syrian, Jordanian and Palestinian artisans. Shoshana has an MBA from the London Business School, a Master’s Degree in Education, and a Bachelor's Degree in Astrophysics. She is also a Senior Fellow at the Yale Jackson Institute for Global Affairs.

Prof. Alona Revko is an Academic Visitor at the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship, Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, supported by a British Academy Fellowship. Her research focuses on stakeholder relationships in social entrepreneurship ecosystems across the UK, Ukraine, and Poland, with an emphasis on resilience and rebuilding in extreme contexts. As a professor at Chernihiv Polytechnic National University, Ukraine, Prof. Revko has over a decade of experience teaching Social Entrepreneurship, Leadership, and Sustainable Development, blending theory with practical applications for community rebuilding. She has designed specialized training programs on Social Entrepreneurship for former military personnel and their families. Prof. Revko has extensive international experience, having participated in study visits and internships across Europe, including the UK, Sweden, Norway, and Poland. Her contributions to social economy development were recognized in 2018 by the Marshal of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region in Poland. Her expertise includes social entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial resilience, sustainable development, and community leadership.

Moderator:

Professor Marya Besharov is Professor of Organisations and Impact and Academic Director of the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship. Her research and teaching focus on leadership, social impact, and hybrid organisations. She engages with leaders and organisations worldwide to help them manage competing demands of social impact and financial performance. Marya received a BA in Social Studies, an MA in Sociology, and a PhD in Organisational Behaviour from Harvard University. She also holds an MBA from Stanford University.

Please note: the link to access the event online will be emailed to you approximately 24 hours before the event, and on the day of the event.

*This event will be recorded and photographed. By registering for and attending the event, you acknowledge that your image/voice may be captured and used by the Skoll Centre for printed and online materials such as publications, reports, presentations, website content and social media posts. All data will be stored safely according to GDPR. Please alert a member of staff at the event if you would like to opt-out.