Bigger than [Silo] Strategy: Practical tools and strategies to bust silos and unlock systems approaches

​Conflict and the closure of the Straits of Hormuz has triggered an economic, food and energy crisis. Exacerbated by a rapidly changing climate El Niño is hitting hard. Despite its potential for advancing solutions artificial intelligence threatens people's opportunity for decent work and consumes enormous energy and natural resources destroying habitats and our common climate. The Ebola emergency reminds us of the neglected pandemic preparedness agenda and lenacapavir is a wonder drug that could effectively end deaths from AIDs- just as the world cuts AIDs funding. Inequality multiplies, entrenching ever greater wealth and power in the hands of the few at the expense of the many. Social media and nativist populists blame marginalised communities rather and drive people apart rather than together. People, especially the most vulnerable, experience these challenges not as distinct barriers to overcome but as a cumulative tidal wave intersecting to undermine resilience and life chances. Now is a time for (the specific smart investments and strategies that deliver) systems change; not sticking plasters and symptomatic relief, but bold, holistic change.

​And perhaps the geopolitical opportunity is opening for this necessary systems change. Awareness is growing that the old order has failed. The Hormuz crisis once again underscores ourneed for more resilient agricultural and food systems. New alliances offer potential for bold change across areas from global health and international finance to transitioning away from fossil fuels. Over the next few years the UK has the opportunity, as Chair of both the G20 then the the G7, to be a crucible for this new beginning.

​However working and thinking in silos is undermining our collective and individual impact. As civil society and philanthropy we need to adopt Bigger Than [Silo] Strategies to address interconnections and tackle the upstream determinants of outcomes across our climate, environment, social and health agendas in order to ensure that our change ecosystem is more powerful than the sum of its parts.
​The Global Commons Alliance and Sharing Strategies invite you to this event during London Climate Action Week to consider how we can cooperate and collaborate across our traditional boundaries to become more than the sum of our parts and deliver on the opportunity for systems change over the coming months and years.