“Attending the OECD World Forum in Rome was a real eye-opener. Networking with peers, cementing relationships, and exploring new ideas that I can bring back to enhance our work at Social Value Aotearoa.”
Director of Social Value Aoteaora, Jo Nicholson, has spent a decade at the helm of New Zealand’s leading impact measurement network and building the story of Social Value in Aotearoa. Ensuring New Zealand has been at the forefront of this global movement to redefine the way society accounts for value. Her innovative thinking and passion for the ‘story of change,’ and how that can make what you are doing more impactful and generate more value, has seen her invited to speak at international conferences keen to learn about what’s happening in New Zealand.
For Nicholson, attending the OECD world forum in Rome and experiencing firsthand the energy and breadth of Social Value and impact measurement globally was an ‘eye-opener.’ Paving the way of the future for business and policy, it brought together thought leaders from 38 countries, bringing into focus the need to centre people’s wellbeing, in light of the current global socioeconomic and environmental crises. The insights gained from exchanging and generating ideas in this environment, potent with innovators and game changers, is now feeding into the work we have to do here, in Aotearoa.
Our nation’s contribution to the wider Social Value movement was officially recognised with Nicholson’s appointment to the board of Social Value International, the world's leading network for growing the movement globally. Attending the World Forum was another lightning bolt moment for SVA as it was reaffirming to feed into the global overview, discussing and establishing evidence-based international standards with a shared vision that healthy and happy people are at the core of thriving economies.
“Jo Swinson's comments on the disconnect between economics and wellbeing really drove home the importance of frameworks like Social Return on Investment (SROI). Measuring social value effectively can bridge that gap and make wellbeing a core part of economic decision-making.”
The OECD has nearly 60 years of experience and insights that look beyond GDP to imagine futures where the wellbeing of people is at the heart of public policy and societal action. This kind of thinking is revolutionary as it challenges the way society perceives value and acknowledges the complex economic social fabric we live in. This is already embedded in so much of what we already do here in Aotearoa, especially from an indigenous lens, where wellbeing has always been understood as holistic and multidimensional and notions of collective good and creating positive futures for the next generation is integral to core value systems.
“It's inspiring to see so much momentum for collaboration and mutual learning. On the world stage we’re really well-known for our indigenous models. A lot of our members have been able to naturally embed the Social Value principles in a way that aligns with what truly reflects the needs of their organisation.”
“Looking ahead, SVA’s role is clear: to unite New Zealand’s impact community and mainstream the way we account for value. In alignment with current government priorities, SVA offers a wealth of knowledge and experience, making it a relevant and vital force for change. As we navigate complex challenges, it’s imperative to move beyond good intentions and allocate resources effectively.”
Because we now have the data telling us in no uncertain terms the economic, social and environmental cost of rising inequality as a result of dollar-driven business and policy. Increasingly, people are asking: at what cost was this produced and what impact does it have on the environment? Organisations are being held accountable for the environmental and social impact they are creating.
“The discussion on inequality-related system-level risks resonated deeply, especially with the work being done around the Taskforce on Inequality and Social-related Financial Disclosures (TISFD). It's a reminder that investors and businesses have both a moral and legal duty to hold society together.”
“I truly appreciated the chance to be exposed to such high-level policy discussions – it was a rare opportunity to learn from global experts and see how top-level thinking is shaping real-world change.”
The momentum is building globally and SVA is proud to be able to bring this energy into the Investing in Impact conference September 2025, where you can jump on the waka and immerse yourself in the world of Social Value and impact measurement. See the conference website for more information. https://www.socialvalueconference.nz/impact25
“Having sound and comprehensive data on wellbeing can help governments make better decisions, plan for the future and identify high-impact policy interventions.” - Mathias Cormann, OECD Secretary-General.
Jo’s key takeaways from the OECD forum 2024:
● Beyond GDP is Gaining Global Traction: The forum made it clear that wellbeing and social progress are becoming central in policy debates worldwide. This idea fits well with New Zealand's Living Standards Framework and Wellbeing Budget, though we still face the challenge of putting these measures into practice.
● Indigenous Knowledge & Wellbeing: There was strong recognition of the importance of Indigenous perspectives. For Aotearoa, this reinforces the value of Te Ao Māori frameworks in guiding how we support and measure community wellbeing.
● Measurement is Evolving: While moving beyond GDP is widely agreed upon, the challenge of accurately measuring social and environmental impact remains complex. Countries are actively working on linking these new indicators to policy decisions - a challenge New Zealand is also navigating.
● Equity & Social Inclusion Are Global Priorities: Many discussions focused on tackling inequality and ensuring that policies reach marginalised communities. This global focus aligns with our ongoing work around social equity and regional disparities at home.
● Private Sector & Social Value: There's a growing expectation for businesses to account for their broader social and environmental impact, moving beyond traditional CSR. This shift towards genuine accountability for value creation is something the Social Value Aotearoa network can build on.
● New Zealand's Role in Global Conversations: The forum highlighted the opportunity for New Zealand to share its experience in embedding wellbeing into policy while learning from international best practices.