History & Impact
The Institute for Social Advancement (ISA) is a non-profit organization working globally for personal and social transformation. We engage students in the arts, aikido, and leadership education, supporting them to build skills for meaningful contribution to their communities at home and abroad. We welcome everyone to our classes, free of charge. And have for the past 20 years.
In 2000, the Debub Nigat Circus transformed into a social theatre and powerhouse for addressing crucial issues facing Ethiopia.
We see lives transform
Over 120,000 people have been touched by our work, directly as students, or indirectly as audience members at one of our many performances and demonstrations. ISA began as a street performance group, the Debub Nigat Circus. In 2000, after crossing paths with the Blue Man Group, Debub transformed into a social theatre and powerhouse for addressing crucial social issues such as HIV, polio, and the harm of female genital mutilation.
We’ve seen lives transformed by mentorship, and peer support remains a cornerstone of all our programs. Our teachers were once students. Our alumni are among the most famous musicians in Ethiopia, and others, the most outspoken advocates for generative approaches to conflict resolution. Bringing their wisdom and experience, our board and elders council help us ground our work in our local lineage, Ethiopian traditions of community building and peacekeeping.