ASIAN
MARKETING experts and business leaders have suggested that social enterprises
should underline value sharing, social engagement, democratised financing and
partnership strategy to create strong local communities in helping foster
economic growth sustainably in an era dubbed "corporate social
responsibility 3.0" (CSR 3.0).
"Never underestimate local communities in identifying where
they [social entrepreneurs] come from. This is where the entrepreneurs start
from," Bunker Roy, founder of Barefoot College from India, said yesterday.
Roy, who initiated a unique and innovative programme for uplifting, empowering and educating the rural poor in India, also urged the private and business sectors to look into the power of rural communities, such as local wisdom and intellect, as a starting point of social entrepreneurship that would be a sustainable model.
He explained that his Barefoot College had encouraged and empowered people to solve their own problems with their unique knowledge and intelligence. Those people with such expertise are called 'grand mothers', as they are role models for the young generation's inspiration.
"I would like to promote the partnership model, rather than the business model, because the partnership model creates equality. Everyone has to share resources equally. Therefore, social enterprises should understand this," he added.
He made these remarks during the first day of the "Asian Forum on Corporate Social Responsibility" in Bangkok.
The two-day event - organised by th7e Manila-based Asian Institute of Management and Asia Inc Forum - is a platform for regional business leaders to discuss the direction of CSR and social entrepreneurship under the theme "Unleashing Social Entrepreneurship: New Partnership for a Better World".
Speaking from her experience in the corporate to the development sector, Anna Meloto-Wilk, president and co-founder of Human Nature from the Philippines, said companies should sponsor the communities in which they operate by giving them jobs as a core element of their business.
This approach would help improve people's lives and the value of their products, she said.
Heinrich Jessen, chairman of Jebsen and Jessen (SEA) from Singapore, told the event that his chemical company had changed its policy by increasing the emphasis on reducing its impact on the environment.
However, the role of government and regulatory authorities must be particularly supportive, he stressed.
Investing in youth skills
In yesterday's second session, "Insight into the Power of Social Innovation", Anjan Ghosh, regional director for corporate affairs for Asia Pacific and Japan at Intel Corp, said that investment in skills development for the young generation was also important for future growth.
"Every $1 invested in skills for youth has a multiplier effect of 10 to 15 per cent on economic growth and national competitiveness," he said, pointing to the potential growth in Southeast Asia, where the youth population numbered about 347 million in unreached areas.
He described this era as 'CSR 3.0', which means that social enterprises must work to strengthen and to provide a "systemic solution to social problems through cross-sector partnership for long-term and fundamental improvement to society with innovation".
From the financial perspective, meanwhile, Durreen Shahnaz, founder and chairwoman of Singapore-based Impact Investment Exchange Asia, said the role of the private sector was very important for good business in the future.
"Asia is prosperous, with a population of more than 3.3 million, but the question is that there are a huge number of children who cannot access a better education, while unemployment rates are still high. So we need actionable investment and democratised financing," she stressed.
Roy, who initiated a unique and innovative programme for uplifting, empowering and educating the rural poor in India, also urged the private and business sectors to look into the power of rural communities, such as local wisdom and intellect, as a starting point of social entrepreneurship that would be a sustainable model.
He explained that his Barefoot College had encouraged and empowered people to solve their own problems with their unique knowledge and intelligence. Those people with such expertise are called 'grand mothers', as they are role models for the young generation's inspiration.
"I would like to promote the partnership model, rather than the business model, because the partnership model creates equality. Everyone has to share resources equally. Therefore, social enterprises should understand this," he added.
He made these remarks during the first day of the "Asian Forum on Corporate Social Responsibility" in Bangkok.
The two-day event - organised by th7e Manila-based Asian Institute of Management and Asia Inc Forum - is a platform for regional business leaders to discuss the direction of CSR and social entrepreneurship under the theme "Unleashing Social Entrepreneurship: New Partnership for a Better World".
Speaking from her experience in the corporate to the development sector, Anna Meloto-Wilk, president and co-founder of Human Nature from the Philippines, said companies should sponsor the communities in which they operate by giving them jobs as a core element of their business.
This approach would help improve people's lives and the value of their products, she said.
Heinrich Jessen, chairman of Jebsen and Jessen (SEA) from Singapore, told the event that his chemical company had changed its policy by increasing the emphasis on reducing its impact on the environment.
However, the role of government and regulatory authorities must be particularly supportive, he stressed.
Investing in youth skills
In yesterday's second session, "Insight into the Power of Social Innovation", Anjan Ghosh, regional director for corporate affairs for Asia Pacific and Japan at Intel Corp, said that investment in skills development for the young generation was also important for future growth.
"Every $1 invested in skills for youth has a multiplier effect of 10 to 15 per cent on economic growth and national competitiveness," he said, pointing to the potential growth in Southeast Asia, where the youth population numbered about 347 million in unreached areas.
He described this era as 'CSR 3.0', which means that social enterprises must work to strengthen and to provide a "systemic solution to social problems through cross-sector partnership for long-term and fundamental improvement to society with innovation".
From the financial perspective, meanwhile, Durreen Shahnaz, founder and chairwoman of Singapore-based Impact Investment Exchange Asia, said the role of the private sector was very important for good business in the future.
"Asia is prosperous, with a population of more than 3.3 million, but the question is that there are a huge number of children who cannot access a better education, while unemployment rates are still high. So we need actionable investment and democratised financing," she stressed.
-The
Nation
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