Praise for From Ideas to Impact

“In these challenging times when politicians are failing to provide leadership, when multilateral peace and security institutions are wrecked from within, From Ideas to Impact is timely and offers pathways to solutions, solidarity, and partnership from ground up, from periphery to center.”

—Jose Ramos‐Horta

President of Timor Leste and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate

“Mick Sheldrick was with us at the beginning as we shaped the Bridgetown Initiative. In the face of unprecedented challenges, his book bridges idealism with essential pragmatism and outlines how everyone can participate urgently in the crucial task of acting today to save tomorrow. A must‐read for those ready to turn solidarity into impactful action.”

—Mia Mottley

Prime Minister of Barbados and Co‐Chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Advocates

“Democracy requires committed citizens who take action and work for what they believe in …. Mick has made an impact on many lives through his work combating climate change, giving more children access to education and achieving the end of extreme poverty. He has also inspired thousands of others to drive the change they seek.”

—Erna Solberg

former Prime Minister of Norway (2013–2021)

“I know Mick Sheldrick well as we are both board members of the Ban Ki‐moon Centre, and I admire his manifold activities in the field of sustainable development, education, and information. In addition, he is an excellent organizer. In a world testing the resilience of institutions like the United Nations, Mick Sheldrick masterfully unveils their enduring impact on our daily lives notwithstanding geopolitical tensions. With flair, he distills compelling insights, guiding readers to unearth common ground in our turbulent era. This is a book for the times: sharp and incisive.”

—Dr. Heinz Fischer

former President of Austria (2004–2016)

“Get ready for a must‐read! Michael Sheldrick shares the story of the inspiring South African advocates who fearlessly catapulted period poverty and girls' education to the political stratosphere. This timely book serves up practical lessons for anyone seeking to make a real difference.”

—Phumzile Mlambo‐Ngcuka

former Deputy President of South Africa and former head of UN Women

“Drawing lessons from our work together with former UN Secretary‐General Ban Ki‐moon, this book offers actionable steps to make a difference and drive social impact. It brings the sustainable development objectives at the heart of the global community where each citizen has a role to play for the planet, prosperity, and people.”

—Jean Todt and Michelle Yeoh

UN Special Envoy for Road Safety, and Oscar‐winning actress and UN Development Programme Goodwill Ambassador

“This book postulates bringing civility back to society through consistent, ethical action, and by appealing to our shared hopes over fears, thereby, equipping policy entrepreneurs to overcome division and create a more just world for all.”

—Tony Tersigni

EdD, FACHE, Executive Chair of Ascension Capital

“To create the world we owe future generations, we need to think differently and act now. And yet most people, including leaders, succumb to the prevailing sense of powerlessness and apathy. Mick's book From Ideas to Impact is a clarion call to action. He provides an easy‐to‐read, inspiring guide on how we can all lead change, and accelerate progress to a greener, more equitable future.”

—Simon Mulcahy

President, TIME

“Behind the glitz of their concerts and festivals, Mick Sheldrick and the Global Citizen community have built an impressive campaigning model based on popular engagement, strategic storytelling, and coalition building. Aspiring changemakers the world over have much learn from their example.”

—Mark Malloch‐Brown

President of the Open Society Foundation and former Deputy Secretary‐General of the UN

“Michael Sheldrick brings a new take to the struggle to move beyond no longer competitive fossil fuels and onto cheaper, cleaner renewables from the outlier in the ‘Anglo‐Saxon’ world. But his scope is far broader—how do you make progressive policy in only partially progressive societies, where private individualism still has a deep hold? And his argument should remind us all that we need to keep tethered in the unique past that shapes every policy struggle worth fighting.”

—Carl Pope

senior climate advisor to former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and co‐author of New York Times bestseller Climate of Hope

“Michael leads by example, inspiring everyone he meets including prime ministers, presidents, philanthropists, and rock stars, with his clear goals and strength of purpose. And in the book, Michael insists that what he has done others can do…. At a time of global polycrisis, Michael gives us more than reasons to be hopeful; he actually tells us how to go about effecting meaningful change in our world.”

—Melissa Parke

former Minister, Australian Government and Executive Director, International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons

“In his new book From Ideas to Impact: A Playbook for Influencing and Implementing Change in a Divided World, Michael Sheldrick provides an inspiring road map for global citizens seeking to make an impact. Michael's book gives hope to those who are frustrated with the growing challenges faced by social entrepreneurs, urging them to master the art of policy entrepreneurship. From Ideas to Impact is a valuable guide for those ready to bridge the gap between great ideas and policy impact, inspiring action for a better collective future.”

—Aigboje Aig‐Imoukhuede

Nigerian investor and philanthropist

“In a world facing immense challenges, it can feel impossible to affect policy but Michael breaks things down, gives compelling examples, and empowers us all to do what we can in our own spheres of influence. He should know, he's been doing it for over 15 years as a co‐founder of Global Citizen.”

—Dr. Márcia Balisciano

Director of Benjamin Franklin House and Chief Sustainability Officer, RELX

“Michael Sheldrick challenges us to go beyond the rhetoric of empty promises and the ubiquitous calls to action. From Ideas to Impact is a must‐read for current and aspiring development leaders and practitioners.”

—Glenn Denning

Professor of Professional Practice at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs and author of Universal Food Security

“It is very rare you come across a book, which has all the hallmarks of becoming the standard reference for its industry, in this case civil society organizations. Mick Sheldrick, cofounder of Global Citizen, interlaces global climate politics, organizational playbook ingenuity, and personal ‘war story’ observations in a writing style as if you were in the room. A book to cherish and an act hard to follow.”

—Frank Van Gansbeke

executive scholar in residence at Middlebury College

“Coming up with ideas is easy but making an impactful difference is hard. In From Ideas to Impact, Mick Sheldrick not only provides a road map for the journey to transformational change but the book also serves as an instruction manual for making it happen. As co‐founder of Global Citizen for over a decade, Mick has catalyzed civic actions and policy advocacy to bring about collective impact. In these pages he shares inspirational stories and provides examples of how to accelerate global social impact by driving systemic policy changes. I'm a better leader because of Mick's wisdom. This book allows Mick's wisdom to be shared with the world. Read. Learn. Act!”

—C.D. Glin

President, PepsiCo Foundation and Global Head of Social Impact, PepsiCo Inc.

“Real power comes from movement building that gets citizens involved in diverse forms of personal action at massive societal scales. We grow bold leaders and lasting action from the roots. No organization has done this better than Global Citizen, and Mick Sheldrick's From Ideas to Impact shares the secret sauce behind these efforts and insightful curation of other changemaking we all can learn from.”

—Jad Daley

President and CEO of American Forests

“Michael Sheldrick charts a course through some of the most challenging issues of our time… He illuminates successful efforts in translating seemingly abstract concepts, such as ‘just transition,’ into impactful policy changes that enhance people's lives and help advance social justice.”

—Gilbert F. Houngbo

Director‐General of the International Labour Organization

“From Ideas to Impact outlines...