On the last day of the 9th World Knowledge Forum, three inspirational social entrepreneurs shared their involvement in changing the world. The session’s panel was constituted of Brenda Musilli, president of Intel Foundation; Dennis Karpes, founder of Dance4Life; and Rick Aubry, president of Rubicon Programs, while moderated by Fredrick Dubee, Senior Advisor of UN Global Compact.
Mr. Aubry, also a faculty member of Stanford Graduate School of Business, began the discussion by defining the term ‘social entrepreneurship.’ He explained that while entrepreneurship applies new and innovative ways for the purpose of producing a greater financial return, social entrepreneurship was “profoundly different” in that it uses the same skills to create social value.
In particular, social entrepreneurship, pursued by businesses including Rubicon Programs, is not in the form of charity. Instead, the company headed by Mr. Aubry tries to take “a social entrepreneurial approach” and pursue businesses that train and employ otherwise jobless people to make top-quality products and services that create value for customers, and “most importantly, provide an opportunity for people to lift them from poverty,” he said. Thus, the operations that are pursued not only have a “huge individual impact” on those served, but also make sure that the socially-minded investors can reap sufficient profit.
Next up was Mr. Karpes, who became a social entrepreneur as he set out to seek fulfillment in his life, and founded the international movement Dance4Life, which “inspires, mobilizes and unites youth to push back HIV and AIDS” through its program while celebrating life through dance.
He especially stressed that the entire concept of the movement was involvement. He underlined his belief that rather than talking “about creating a better world for the next generation…if you want to change the world, you should involve the generation. Talking from experience, it is so amazing what they (youth) come up with, full of energy and if you can tap into their energy, magical things will happen.”
In line with this, Ms. Musilli, also touched on the importance of involving youth, sharing that Intel has from its early days, been focused on “the importance and mission of educating young people around the globe.” The company currently carries out various education programs and youth outreach programs in over 50 countries worldwide.
She explained that, “It makes common sense that if you want to give back to society and community, the best way to do that is through education. If you provide a child with education, you will continue to increase the opportunities for that individual, for that community, which will hopefully lead to economic prosperity.”
[Eun-young Sa / JYJ]<br> <br><br>[ⓒ Maeil Business Newspaper & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved
