At GES, we tend to focus on ideas. Big ideas. After all, why not? Big ideas change the world. We tend to focus less on hard numbers, data, and statistics, and more on individual stories and communities. While an understanding on the individual level is key, numbers can also help tell our stories.  But as much as some of us might hate to admit it, data and statistics lie behind these changes.

Hans Rosling presents an engaging way to look at data and statistics about global development. It’s a big idea- with some hard numbers behind it. (Of course, his humor doesn’t hurt the video’s appeal, but think about how much he is telling us- both about numbers and about global development.)

At the heart of Rosling’s work is an idea that we struggle with at GES and in the social sector at large: How do you measure, assess, and present your impact in a way that is tangible?  As GES continues to grow, we endeavor to make statistics and data a tool we can use to our advantage.