Our Name

We take our name from The Roosevelts - Franklin, Eleanor, and Theodore. The legendary wife and husband duo exemplify the values that define our socially justiced organisation. Theodore represents the ultimate leader and individualist. He overcame childhood infirmities to become a formidable boxer, sculler, and outdoorsman. He stood up for what was right, such as fighting government corruption when he knew he would face backlash, and alongwith Scotsman John Muir, led a conservation movement.

A bold leader who understood, and did what was necessary in order to ameliorate the society that Franklin led, we look to Franklin for inspiration in taking great strides toward a better future. Franklin was the public face of social progress that has paved the way for the modern welfare state, yet Eleanor was a crucial figure in cementing what we now see as Franklin’s legacy — acting as the driving force behind Franklin’s empathy for and connection to the people that he served.

Eleanor’s achievements are not limited to her support of Franklin, however. A towering figure in her own right, she was one of the 20th century’s most powerful voices for the disenfranchised and the disadvantaged, and focused much of her life after the White House on heightening civil rights in the United States, and working to promote human rights and peace internationally. 

In our work, we strive to emulate all of these extraordinary figures: while seeking to propose audacious solutions to the world’s most pressing issues, we also look to understand the public and their needs, and to channel this understanding into valuable ideas that work for all. 

We believe that, in building a better world, we must work to foster synergistic relationships among our Members, relationships that encourage them to consolidate their skills and mobilise their full potential in generating new insights about the issues that they are addressing.

Most importantly, and beyond their personal styles and their partnership, the Roosevelts remind us to constantly work toward bettering our communities, our societies, and the world at large.