The Royal Society of Arts (RSA), England, has appointed Nigerian-born international law and finance expert, Dr Jennifer Douglas, as a fellow of the prestigious society. The recognition was bestowed on her for her social impact in the UK and Africa.
The fellowship of The Royal Society of Arts is an award granted to people deemed to have made outstanding achievements for social progress and development.
Dr Douglas is a lawyer with over 25 years of experience working in finance, law, education and the non-profit sector, in the United Kingdom, Nigeria and the UAE.
She is the founder of the Gede Foundation, a non-profit organization with UN Observer status, whose mission is focused on bringing underserved and stigmatised health burdens ‘out of the shadows’ through advocacy and research on mental health.
Dr Douglas, who made the list of 100 Most Reputable Africans, a few weeks ago, was recently nominated for the Wintrade Global Award coming up in three locations of the London Stock Exchange, Lloyd’s of London and the London House of Lords, on 13th, 14th and 15th of March, respectively. Her nomination is under the Woman Icon of the year category.
Founded in 1754 by William Shipley as the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, RSA was granted a Royal Charter in 1847, and the right to use the term “Royal” in its name by King Edward VII in 1908, Royal Society of Arts is over 260 years old.
According to the CEO of the RSA, Andy Haldane, the ambition of the RSA is to build a society which works for everyone and in which everyone participates. These ambitions can only be fulfilled through collective action to solve the challenges of this day.
“Being a Fellow is an invaluable way to support the RSA’s vision. We would like to begin by thanking you. It is people like you who make our work possible.
“Throughout history, the RSA has had an immense impact on the world. We’ve welcomed thinkers with competing visions of a better future including Adam Smith, Karl Marx, Marie Curie and David Attenborough.
“Today, we continue to develop social change initiatives such as our Future of Work programme, which exists to make sure that everyone, regardless of background or starting point, can pursue good work in this age of technological change. We also proudly support a number of global Fellow-led initiatives.
Dr Douglas joins other notable past fellows such as Nelson Mandela, David Attenborough, Charles Dickens, Benjamin Franklin, Stephen Hawking, Karl Marx, Adam Smith, Tim Berners-Lee and many others.
Dr Douglas, in her response to the prestigious appointment, said it is applauding seeing the RSA bringing like-minded individuals and organisations together to harness power for social good.
“My inner drive is to impact the world around me, getting to know about this organization that fosters creative minds, even supports creative development and provides the resources needed to produce results. it gives me the confidence, that I am in the right community,” she said.
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