Why Leaders Call the JBA Course Transformative
- Daniel Bevan
- Sep 3
- 7 min read
Updated: Sep 5
“Boring. Too long. I’ll fall asleep.” That’s how Nickson Orwa felt before clicking join meeting. Instead, three hours flew by - alive with music, energy, and global conversations about justice.
He’s not alone. Over the last eight years, hundreds of people from every corner of the globe - entry-level staff, community organizers, senior leaders, activists, and professionals across sectors - have discovered that the Justice Based Approach (JBA) Foundation Course isn’t like other online trainings.
What if an online course could change the way you see your work, your community, and even your daily life? What if six weeks could reframe justice - not as an abstract idea, but as a practice you live every day? That’s the power of the JBA Foundation Course.
Here are the reflections of our alumni, in their own words.
Breaking the Myth of “Boring Online Courses”
— Nickson Orwa, Safeguarding and Human Rights Expert, Kenya
“"Boring! Too long! I don’t have time! I will sleep through the course. How will they know what I'm up to?"
These are some of the fears many people have when they want to register for a virtual course. I felt the same before I enrolled in JBA.
Imagine a virtual course that is so participatory and makes you accountable to yourself and others. A virtual course where the facilitators use participatory tools, making you involved and looking forward to the next one. Imagine a course where you have involved breakout sessions, where your camera is on throughout, and to spice it up, music is played from your country!
Where else do you have experts from all over the globe breaking down what would ordinarily look like complex concepts into a way that is understood by all, if not by the United Edge group! Which other virtual course is so participatory that three hours fly so fast, and everybody looks forward to the next one??
More Than Professional: A Personal Transformation
— Tajmary Akter, Development Worker and Social Equity Advocate, Bangladesh
I joined the JBA Foundation Course in 2020, during the lockdown, at a time when many assumed online courses were not effective or meaningful. To my surprise, JBA proved the opposite – it was convenient, engaging, and deeply transformative. Looking back, the experience was more than just a course; it shaped both my professional and personal journey.
Professionally, it gave me the justice lens to critically analyse project goals and activities, while the pillar of brave accountability became a guiding principle in my work. Personally, I am deeply rooted in discussions on ‘everyday activism’, which have helped me realize the power of every action and inaction, and to confront my own biases. I am living the value that shapes my choices, words, and actions, fuelling me to continuously reflect and cultivate myself toward a better version of who I am.
The foundation course of JBA is for everyone, and it is time-worthy – even when happening online. Like many others, I believe that the insights of JBA have the power to move anyone who joins, leading to a strong and positive transformation.
Tools for Courageous Leadership
— Immaculate Kiiza Wanendeya, Non-profit Leader & Child Rights Advocate, Uganda
My journey with United Edge has been deeply transformative, shaping not only how I think but also who I am as a leader, grounded in justice, humanity, and foresight. Personally, I have gained confidence, courage, and clarity—learning to lead with conviction while staying true to my values.
The tools and approaches I encountered through United Edge have fundamentally shifted the way I lead. I have learned to consciously integrate justice-based decision-making into my daily work, to safeguard people with courage and integrity, and to anticipate risks and opportunities with the future in mind. These frameworks have equipped me not only to respond to immediate challenges but also to think ahead and guide my team toward a vision of greater justice and resilience.
What sets United Edge apart is its unique ability to weave rigorous strategy with deeply human values—challenging participants not just to learn but to transform. United Edge has stretched my mind, grounded my heart, and strengthened my hands for the work ahead. It has given me not just skills but courage, not just frameworks but vision, not just training but a movement of leaders committed to justice in a complex world. All online—who knew?
I carry forward this experience with deep gratitude and with the conviction that what United Edge is cultivating is not only necessary but urgently needed in our times.
Unmatched Engagement and Diversity
— Ana Santos, Designer and Humanitarian Innovator, Portugal
My experience with JBA courses, both as a participant and as a team leader, has been very rewarding. The course’s dynamics are designed with great precision and delivered online with a surprising freshness that makes the sessions truly engaging.
In fact, so much so that after attending dozens of trainings in my lifetime, I can say the level of engagement in JBA courses is unmatched. Each course places inclusion and diversity at its heart, bringing together participants from across the globe, especially those at the frontlines of justice action.
The courses are intense yet always punctual, filled with practical examples, and shaped by the contributions of participants. I honestly feel that the time invested in this course has been invaluable, not only for me personally, but also for my organization, where my colleagues are eager to learn from and apply what I’ve gained. Best of all, if you enrol in a JBA course, this learning journey with United Edge extends into a vibrant and active community of justice professionals, activists, and scholars—from policy making to grassroots work.
Reprogramming for Justice
— Anwaar Ahmed, Former Investment Banker, now BDS Activist, Italy
I attended the Justice Based Approach workshop in 2019, while managing a local, non-profit learning & development centre for marginalised children in Cambodia. It was my first work experience in the humanitarian space and a dramatic shift following a three-decade career in finance.
The JBA workshop was a valuable inflection point in my journey. Whilst the content was rich and decisively relevant to my job, it more significantly triggered a revaluation of my thought patterns, encouraging me to a candid exploration of my overall ‘programming’ and behaviour. That ‘work’ influenced my personal formation and future direction and decisions significantly.
That necessary work supported me in defining who I wished to be and the contribution I wished to make towards replacing the obsolete systems that reinforce all forms of injustice. The responsibility to challenge dominant systems, redistribute decision-making, implore bold action, hold power to account, and cultivate alternative models for change is a COLLECTIVE task.
Having transitioned from the private, corporate world to a social development and humanitarian focus, it is clear to me that in order to achieve genuine and lasting justice, the JBA lens needs to be worn equally by those residing outside the humanitarian/social development sphere.
Leadership Beyond Titles and Positions
— Marie Therese Kettaneh, Child Protection Specialist, Lebanon
Justice isn’t a job title—it’s how we choose to show up in our daily lives. You don’t need to work in the justice sector to take part in this struggle, because every role we play—whether as teachers, parents, students, health workers, or artists—carries the power to resist and to rebuild.
This course is an invitation to join others who share that conviction, to learn powerful tools, and to stand together in imagining a more just world. When our voices gather, they don’t just echo—they spark the kind of revolution that transforms both us and the systems we live in.
If you’ve ever wondered how you can contribute to change, this is your chance—enroll and be part of it. I look forward to the impact we will create together, armed with both conviction and the skills to turn our vision of justice into lasting change.
From Participant to Team Leader
— Mousumi Gupta, Policy and Strategic Engagement Specialist, India
I had the privilege of attending the Justice Based Approach course in Delhi in 2018, which was a turning point in how I approach social change and advocacy. The training deepened my understanding of justice, equity, and systemic change, and gave me practical tools to integrate these values into my work.
In 2020, I furthered this journey by joining United Edge as a Team Leader for their first remote JBA course. Leading a global team of social change professionals over six weeks, I facilitated meaningful discussions, guided participants through the online learning management system and eLearning resources, and supported them in applying JBA principles to real-world challenges.
The JBA framework has since shaped my professional work by strengthening my ability to design inclusive, people-centered programs, engage with diverse stakeholders, and ensure that justice remains at the core of policy and advocacy efforts. This training not only enhanced my facilitation and leadership skills but also gave me a global perspective on collaborative problem-solving. I felt safe in this space to question, reflect, and grow—both personally and professionally.
I would strongly encourage others to join the JBA course, as it is a truly transformative learning journey that equips you with both the vision and practical tools to create lasting social impact.
Sustained Participation, Lasting Impact
— Kneath Heard, Partnerships and Development Director, Cambodia
What makes the online JBA course stand out from others is the way it sustains participation. The content itself is engaging, but it is the interactive tools and sessions that set it apart. Rather than being just another face on a screen, I found myself fully present, connecting with and learning alongside changemakers from across the world. The course facilitators’ passion is contagious, and you quickly find yourself looking forward to being challenged in every session.
I credit JBA with helping me identify and explore my own identity, as well as new perspectives on justice. I had always been critical of the NGO system I was part of, and this course allowed me to analyse those shortcomings through the JBA lens, while also unexpectedly influencing other areas of my life.
Since completing the course, I have supported initiatives related to grassroots leadership development and survivor leaders, and I have become an advocate for justice even when it is uncomfortable. The course leaders and wider JBA community have been inspiring, thoughtful, and incredibly supportive throughout.
Every participant describes the JBA Foundation Course differently: surprising, challenging, empowering, transformative. But they all agree on one thing—it stays with you.
Justice isn’t just a concept. It’s how we choose to show up. And that choice begins here.
Join the next JBA Foundation Course and be part of building a more just world.