Sheela Patel honoured with David Rockefeller Bridging Leadership Award

[29 September 2009] -- Sheela Patel, founder of the Society for the Promotion of Area Resource Centres (SPARC) and chair of Shack/Slum Dwellers International (SDI), has been awarded the prestigious David Rockefeller Bridging Leadership Award for her work with urban poor communities.

 

The award was presented September 21 at the Synergos University for Night event in New York City, an annual gathering to honor people and/or organisations that exemplify the principle of working together for the common good.

 

Former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan was also honoured at the event. Previous recipients include Queen Rania of Jordan and the co-chairs of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation—Bill Gates, Melinda Gates and William Gates Sr.

 

Founded in 1984, SPARC is one of the largest Indian non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working on housing and infrastructure issues for the urban poor. The organisation helps the urban poor increase their voice in government in order to ensure that they have decent housing, infrastructure and other resources. SPARC operates