Luminary: Monica Sharma

Luminary: Monica Sharma

Monica Sharma, trained as a physician and epidemiologist, has been working for the United Nations since 1988. Currently, as Director of Leadership and Capacity Development at OHRLLS, United Nations, she is responsible for designing and facilitating the implementation of programmes for whole systems transformation and leadership development world-wide, with a focus on Africa as well as the 50 least developed nations in the world. Using cutting–edge transformational approaches and methodologies,   the purpose is to achieve measurable and sustainable change in the domains of peace, business and development, and in accordance with stated MDG goals of countries, and in the context of the Earth Charter. This “full spectrum” response manifests change sourced from people’s generative wisdom and power and  addresses direct, systems and root causes of global and local challenges. Leadership of women and youth, and their active participation in decision –making, is being fostered. Results oriented partnerships are being designed and implemented with governments, civil society, business and United Nations agencies.

Monica designed and directed large programmes globally, and lived and worked extensively in both developing and developed countries. She developed and implemented transformational leadership programmes in 40 countries generating multiple innovations and large-scale results in the context of HIV AIDS as the global Director of the HIV/AIDS programme of United Nations Development Programme. She pioneered the strategy for “whole systems transformation” for reducing maternal mortality in South Asia, addressing women’s rights and leadership at all levels. She leads teams for policy formulation, strategic direction and programme development in numerous countries, building multi-stakeholders partnerships with governments, civil society and business. She has published and presented over 250 articles journals and international forums.

‘Development’ of the individual and the collective is being redefined by her, to include the further reaches of the human and cultural capabilities,  to cover a deeper balance between humanity and nature, our intellect and emotion, our inner and outer worlds, and to foster its expression through many programmes world-wide in society as well as organizations. 

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