Impact Connect

Inclusion isn’t just a concept—it’s a capability rooted in skills. While ideas like psychological safety, implicit bias, and belonging are essential for awareness, they don’t automatically lead to action. Understanding inclusion doesn’t mean you know how to practice it. We need a skills-first approach. True inclusion is built on behaviors like active listening, decentering oneself in discussions, and creating space for all voices—even when it slows things down. These are teachable, observable, and measurable skills. Listening is the most powerful tool you have mentioned for true inclusion. But real listening isn’t easy — it takes intention and passion. When you commit to deep, uncomfortable, and compassionate listening, the rest becomes easier. Listening opens the door to empathy, equity, and real change. Another key factor is impact measurement. Inclusion can’t just feel good—it has to show results. Skills make it possible to track real progress. When inclusion becomes behavior, you c...

  AI is a buzzword worldwide—but who truly benefits from it? And how do marginalized people perceive it? Answering these questions isn’t easy. Before seeking solutions, we must first understand the current state of AI adoption and its impact on marginalized communities, particularly people with disabilities. Take Mahafuza, a 36-year-old woman from Rajshahi District, Bangladesh. She has a disability and participates in a Focus Group Discussion organized by UNDP Bangladesh in January 2025 to assess the country's AI readiness. When asked to describe AI in one word and express it through painting, she created a striking image. Can you guess what it represented? After she finished, I asked her to explain. She said, “AI is something dark. Although it’s technology, it doesn’t seem good to me—maybe even bad.” What do you think? Could AI widen the digital divide for marginalized communities? If so, what solutions are needed for underserved populations? The real challenge isn’t jus...