Interview

CSR Innovators and Change Makers: Dr. Bo Stjerne Thomsen, Chair of Learning through Play at The LEGO Foundation

Bo Stjerne Thomsen, Ph.D. is the Chair of Learning through Play at the LEGO Foundation. As a Senior expert on how children and adults learn through play, Dr. Thomsen provides consultation at a bilateral, regional, and multilateral level to international partners and leaders and he's giving us a look into Lego's CSR report. Dr. Thomsen advises international organizations like the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, World Economic Forum, World Innovation Forum for Education and UN General Assembly and governments across the globe.
By
Vanessa Poulson
|
Managing Editor of The Impact Report
|
November 16, 2020
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Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has grown in importance in recent years as consumers, employees and investors are increasingly demanding companies take a stand on global issues. Businesses are recognizing the need to not only focus on profits, but also to make a positive impact on society and the environment. 

This is where social impact professionals come in, individuals leading the charge at organizations large and small to transform how their organizations make an impact. 

We’re profiling Social Impact leaders to engage their insights into how CSR is transforming and growing, what inspired them to enter the field, and advice for others who either operate in or are looking to enter the space.

Lego CSR Report

Bo Stjerne Thomsen, Ph.D is the Chair of Learning through Play at the LEGO Foundation. As a Senior expert on how children and adults learn through play, Dr. Thomsen provides consultation at a bilateral, regional, and multilateral level to international partners and leaders. Dr. Thomsen advises international organizations like the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, World Economic Forum, World Innovation Forum for Education and UN General Assembly and governments across the globe. Dr. Thomsen is an awarded architect, robot designer and elite researcher at the MIT Media Lab. He is a visiting scholar at Harvard University and Tufts University.

What inspired you to begin working in social impact?

My interest in social change started at an early age, and likely fueled by the political and ideological grounding in my Danish upbringing. I've always been drawn to equality and a strong sense of fairness, whether at the school playground, sharing resources or addressing injustice, when I saw it play out in my immediate environment. 

During my education and early career, I was involved in a broad range of development projects across Asia, Europa, Middle East and the US. I studied urban development including how social and physical environments influence our opportunities in life, and I did several design and urban projects to revitalize urban neighborhoods, strengthen community engagement and create more positive opportunities.

When I started in the LEGO Foundation more than a decade ago, I started to build the science and data to underpin our decision-making to create real systems change.

Our key opportunity for this kind of social impact, starts by creating a more inclusive, playful and stimulating form of education for everyone, and we have a lot to learn from how young children are naturally curious about themselves, others and the environment they are in.

My current work in the LEGO Foundation is to support the development and learning through playful experiences in all areas of life. It is inspired by the curiosity of children and importance of lifelong learning by creating dialogues between schools, families and communities, and a stronger collaboration across the public and private sector. 

 Why does increasing the number of people working in social impact matter?

A major part of social impact is movement building. Much of our traditional sense of impact derives from individual or financial impact, but social impact requires a collective responsibility and an understanding that we are all relying on each other, - even if we don't meet each other every day.

In this sense, it's less about the individual but more about how organizations can increasingly aspire to and measure their social impact, whether it's through the jobs they create, employee engagement, services they provide or a more general social responsibility.

Everyone should have a social impact mission, not only because it would provide more growth opportunities, but because whenever one contributes to a bigger purpose, it gives back on individual well-being, meaning and thriving.

How have you seen diversity and inclusion influence employee engagement?

I've seen many inequities which prevent both employees and young people from opportunities. One of the more personal ones, has been when I've tried to be a role-model for communities in different parts of the world, and then realize that my background and privilege is completely incompatible to the circumstances I am trying to empathize with.

I believe that is the main factor in employee engagement - you need to diversify not only the people in leadership, the colleagues and activities you engage with, but also the social, emotional and physical environments we have, because DEI requires choice and opportunity.

If you don’t feel a sense of belonging, a recognition of who you are, and similar rights and opportunities as everyone else, then it drains your emotional well-being, distracts you from work, and at the end of the day, you become mechanistic as a worker. We need passionate, creative, critical thinkers and collaborators in the future of work, and that rests on these fundamental elements of having an open and inclusive environment.

What is your favorite project that you have or are currently working on? 

As it appears from my organization and role, I am passionate about what opportunities a playful and creative mindset can bring to the world. We share so many things across cultures, including our aspirations for a positive, joyful and engaging environment, and play brings that opportunity and hope to try new things and dare to be different.

My favorite project right now is a new 5-year research study in the US on how to address inequities, which is being implemented and tested across 4 States. Together with Temple University and partners across the local States, we are testing the assumption that we don't need to change curriculum or outcomes to make a radical transformation of our education system. We can start by shaping how we interact and relate to each other, respecting the local culture and supporting a more holistic development of young people. This will lead to greater prosperity and more thriving communities.

What would you tell others interested in pursuing a career in CSR or social impact? 

The beauty of social impact is that it exists in any sector and area of work, and it's mainly a question of getting started.

We all sit with such incredible skill sets, assets and experience, but we often apply it in very foreseeable ways. Whether in finance, education, climate, design, administration etc., one can always ask, how do I bring positive change to others?

Social impact can happen when you apply your expertise to a different area of work, or sector, to bring your expertise and ideas to wide use. With this in mind, don't think about a particular career, but make an effort to try something new, engage with people you wouldn’t likely meet, and apply the mindset of a lifelong learner, who seeks to address some of the toughest problems in our society.

Discover the Next Era of Social Impact

If you're interested in an opportunity to to discuss your social impact initiatives, your story, and how your company is creating impact, email vanessa@paragonone.com

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