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    • Devex Book Club

    Rethinking power: Danny Sriskandarajah on why citizens lead real change

    Tune into the latest Devex Book Club podcast episode, where Devex President and Editor-in-Chief Raj Kumar speaks with Danny Sriskandarajah about why citizens, not institutions, are the true drivers of social change.

    By Hayley Mundeva // 25 February 2025

    Listen to "The Undergrowth Effect: Danny Sriskandarajah on unlocking citizen power" on Spreaker.

    Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud, YouTube, or search “Devex” in your favorite podcast app.

    From Gandhi's first act of civil resistance in South Africa to Rosa Parks’ transformative stand in Montgomery in the United States, history's greatest social movements did not start with seasoned activists — they began with ordinary citizens who refused to tolerate injustice. In "Power to the People," Danny Sriskandarajah draws on his journey from Tamil refugee to leader of Oxfam Great Britain, CIVICUS, and the New Economics Foundation to argue that citizen action matters now more than ever.

    Join Devex President and Editor-in-Chief Raj Kumar and Sriskandarajah for this Devex book club episode as they explore why traditional institutions are failing to deliver genuine change. In a world where political and economic systems have been captured by elites — leaving just 3% of humanity living in truly open societies — Sriskandarajah presents an optimistic vision for renewal through what he terms "the undergrowth," the vital networks of community connection and civic engagement that nurture lasting social transformation.

    Drawing on examples from volunteer-run repair cafes to anti-corruption campaigns in Brazil, Sriskandarajah challenges the development sector's top-down approach. For a world facing climate breakdown and democratic decline, his message is clear: real change won't come from boardrooms or conference halls — it will come from citizens reclaiming their power.

    Traditional institutions, as Sriskandarajah argues, promised change but delivered only elite capture. This conversation flips the script: citizens are already bypassing broken systems to build their own solutions. Real transformation doesn't wait for permission — it grows from the ground up, wherever people choose to act.

    Watch the full Devex book club episode. Via YouTube.
    • Democracy, Human Rights & Governance
    • Social/Inclusive Development
    Printing articles to share with others is a breach of our terms and conditions and copyright policy. Please use the sharing options on the left side of the article. Devex Pro members may share up to 10 articles per month using the Pro share tool ( ).

    About the author

    • Hayley Mundeva

      Hayley Mundeva

      Hayley Mundeva is the Communications Lead at Devex, where she handles executive communications, podcast production, and other signature content. Born in Nepal and based in Rwanda, she brings communications consulting experience spanning private businesses, nonprofits, and international organizations in East Africa, Southeast Asia, and North America. She holds a master's degree in global health.

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