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  • April 2013 (Revised November 2015)
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Advanced Leadership Pathways: Gilberto Dimenstein and Community Empowerment in Brazil

By: Rosabeth Moss Kanter, Alexandre Naghirniac, Ai-Ling Jamila Malone and Daniella Suarez
  • Format:Print
  • | Language:English
  • | Pages:16
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Abstract

In 2011, Gilberto Dimenstein, a well-known Brazilian journalist, created a new model that connected disparate resources to revitalize Sao Paulo. He wanted his model to expand across Brazil and the world. Dimenstein covered many of the social issues facing Brazil as a journalist and became determined to create solutions. Dimenstein started two social ventures, ANDI and Escola Aprendiz, before creating and developing Catraca Livre (meaning "open turnstile" in Portuguese) while he was an Advanced Leadership fellow at Harvard. Dimenstein pursued his idea of "learning neighborhoods", which meant a localized, low cost and effective way to leverage the existing available resources as educational opportunities. The resources were underutilized because of a lack of awareness. He believed that education should not be limited to the classroom and instead should be expanded to the entire city. Catraca Livre enabled Sao Paulo's residents to utilize untapped resources by aggregating all of the available resources and disseminating the information through multiple avenues including a website, subways, restaurants, workplaces, and more. This case shows how Dimenstein spearheads his solution to improve his city and offers a model for revitalizing cities around the world.

Keywords

Social Change; Websites; Education; Awareness; Marketing Communication; City Innovation; Leadership; Social Enterprise; Social Entrepreneurship; Web Sites; Marketing; City; Brazil

Citation

Kanter, Rosabeth Moss, Alexandre Naghirniac, Ai-Ling Jamila Malone, and Daniella Suarez. "Advanced Leadership Pathways: Gilberto Dimenstein and Community Empowerment in Brazil." Harvard Business School Case 313-116, April 2013. (Revised November 2015.)
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About The Author

Rosabeth M. Kanter

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Related Work

    • April 2013
    • Faculty Research

    Advanced Leadership Pathways: Gilberto Dimenstein Opens Connections in Brazil

    By: Rosabeth Moss Kanter and Ai-Ling Jamila Malone
    • April 2013 (Revised November 2015)
    • Faculty Research

    Advanced Leadership Pathways: Gilberto Dimenstein and Community Empowerment in Brazil

    By: Rosabeth Moss Kanter, Alexandre Naghirniac, Ai-Ling Jamila Malone and Daniella Suarez
Related Work
  • Advanced Leadership Pathways: Gilberto Dimenstein Opens Connections in Brazil By: Rosabeth Moss Kanter and Ai-Ling Jamila Malone
  • Advanced Leadership Pathways: Gilberto Dimenstein and Community Empowerment in Brazil By: Rosabeth Moss Kanter, Alexandre Naghirniac, Ai-Ling Jamila Malone and Daniella Suarez
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