Impact Investing: From Awareness to Action

Welcome to our latest podcast episode where we delve into the powerful intersection of financial empowerment and humanitarian work. Join us in conversation with Nilani Sunthar a Board Member from the Circle of Young Humanitarians (CYH) as we explore how awareness can lead to action and impact through responsible investing. This episode is brought to you by UMushroom, where we believe in investing based on values to support positive change in the world.

What is the “Circle of Young Humanitarians”?

The Circle of Young Humanitarians (CYH) is a non-profit association based in Zurich that was established by three young women in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in the Spring of 2021. Today, it is a team of 40 students and young professionals who dedicate their time for free towards the initiative. They aim to address young people's views on conflicts and other humanitarian emergencies through their platform to promote an open and effective dialogue between the next generation and the humanitarian world.

UMushroom's Commitment to Impact Investing:

 We at UMushroom are driven by a humanitarian mission at our core. In alignment with our values based on our belief that each human life is of equal value, a special portfolio was created for our contest SFFL to aid participants in learning from their professional knowledge and experience in the banking industry. This portfolio, sponsored by Invesco with CHF 2,000, is designed to support the Circle of Young Humanitarians. Our mission is to transform how people perceive investing, believing that everyone has the potential to become a successful investor.

Exploring Financial Empowerment:

In our conversation with CYH, we discuss the importance of financial literacy in empowering individuals to make positive impacts in the world. Financial empowerment enables individuals to align their investments with their values, creating a ripple effect of change. Invesco, the proud sponsor of the portfolio supporting humanitarian work, stands as one of the world's leading independent investment companies. With a steadfast commitment to their clients, Invesco's vision revolves around putting their clients at the heart of everything they do. Renowned for their trustworthiness, Invesco is one of the world's largest ETF providers, managing over US$396 billion in ETF assets globally since 2003. Their dedication to innovation ensures that they continuously seek new opportunities for investors, while their unwavering focus on service ensures clients receive expert insights on products, regulations, and markets.

The Power of Responsible Investing:

Impact investing is not just another buzzword; it's a fundamental shift in how we approach financial decisions. By considering not only potential returns but also the societal and environmental impact of investments, individuals can actively contribute to causes they care about while still aiming for financial gains.

CYH takes a proactive approach to building awareness through education. Events like the Young Humanitarian Summit serve to educate and empower young people, encouraging them to engage with humanitarian organizations. Through these initiatives, CYH aims to inspire action and cultivate a new generation of socially responsible investors.

Encouraging dialogue and collaboration between the financial and humanitarian sectors is key to fostering meaningful change. We at UMushroom together with CYH want to facilitate discussions that promote collaboration, innovation and needed change. By bridging these sectors, we strive to create a world where investing in positive change is not just an option but the norm.

As we reflect on this conversation, we are reminded of the importance of awareness and action. By investing responsibly and supporting causes aligned with our values, we can contribute to building a better world for future generations.

Thank you to the Circle of Young Humanitarians for their dedication, and to our listeners for joining us on this journey towards positive impact.