“Most people have to see before they believe, but I think that social entrepreneurs believe, and then they see.”
– Martin Burt, Fundación Paraguaya.
Is social entrepreneurship a contemporary buzzword or a movement which is about to take off massively? Opinions differ as much as the definitions on social entrepreneurship do. Some find that social entrepreneurship merely is a buzzword and that striving for definitions and categorizations within the field of work for social changes is useless, taking focus away from the good there is being done and needs to be done. Others find that the definition and wordings do matter – that it will make the field of entrepreneurial activities for societal problem-solving much stronger; and additionally, represents a platform for the individual change-makers to gain a collective identity. Having the opportunity to identify ones work under the umbrella of social entrepreneurship is argued to bring the social change-makers closer together; “less maverick, more movement,” as Stephan Chambers from Skoll Center for Social Entrepreneurship puts it, in this short film on social entrepreneurship made by Skoll Foundation. Field experts like Sally Osberg (Skoll Foundation), Jacqueline Novogratz (Acumen Fund), John Elkington (SustainAbility), Bill Drayton (Ashoka), David Bornstein (author of How to Change the World) and more, give their view on social entrepreneurship and the movement they see taking place. They share the belief that social entrepreneurs are going to be profoundly necessary in the coming decade in the light of the social and environmental challenges of our time. Movement or buzzword, time will tell.
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Mikalee Byerman
December 14, 2010
Movement, I hope. We certainly don’t need another hollow buzzword!
Interesting post… 🙂
The Simple Life of a Country Man's Wife
December 14, 2010
Isn’t it just a fancy name for something we’re all created to do? I don’t understand why the government has to get involved to make a change in the world.
Kelchnad
December 14, 2010
Government definitely shouldn’t be relied upon. However policies do have a large effect on how resources are distributed, and since government shapes policy, it’s necessary to involve government to make change. You certainly can’t look at an issue from just one direction, but must examine all parties involved.
I would be one to believe that these titles do matter. It’s in our nature to categorize. When we categorize something we give it meaning. To give it meaning gives it power.
Nice post and thanks for sharing the video.
ybinny
December 17, 2010
I believe that the government has the duty and has the resources to bring beneficial changes to our society. Think about the highway project during the Eisenhower administration and the space race during the Kennedy administration and the Truman doctrine after WWII where we helped develop the world after most other countries lay in ruin.
Lately, the government has not helped this country or the world in substantial ways, but I believe that is the reflection of the people in government, not the role of government. If there is the public will to remove our troops from Afghanistan, Iraq, and all the other countries where we wage war on terror and spend the money instead on switching to renewable energy, than the government has the potential to do great things once again.
And to the question to why the government, is because in our current time governments have the largest wallets and access to the highest caliber of people and are thus the best instruments of positive change.
Today’s Problems to Tomorrow’s Possibilities
dearexgirlfriend
December 14, 2010
i think the differences of opinion as to what the definitions are speaks to it being a buzzword more than anything…
lolivopalmsprings
December 14, 2010
A truly thought provoking new word and a very crucial and much needed movement for today and tomorrow human’s future. I will follow and watch to see how these remarkable individuals change the world in the future. I am sure it will be for the best.
Mama Tortoise
December 14, 2010
Interesting post! I associate the word entrepreneur with ‘business’ or ‘enterprise’ and with that comes other terminology that doesn’t fit with sweeping concepts like ‘social change’. So for me, my vote is on buzzword because it fits with way we are conditioned to name new efforts with business terms. Social change is old, of course, and history will call them movements. Today we shy away from social movements and are more comfortable with things like ‘social entrepreneur’ – something that fits our time and is temporary. Yup, definitely buzzword.
My two cents. Love your blog!
UNCCA
December 14, 2010
Social Entrepreneurs have always been there however society in 60s and 70s conditioned the environment to suit. Whereas today the environment, and more of technological environment, is conditioning the society, I would say garbling the society. And this has left mankind to contemplate marvellous but vulnerable instruments of changing life. In these times of technology advancements and garbled attitude of society, the two tracks – rich-poor and strong-weak – sees a near-to-impossible way to get bridged. I believe social entrepreneurs are here to bridge this gap and bring harmony to the world. It was a buzzword but now it’s a full fledge movement.
anybodynaturallygivingeverybodylove
December 14, 2010
Social Entrepreneurship is more than just a buzzword but a popular trend that many major corporations are starting to adopt. Some corporations have been doing it for years but many are now starting to see the benefits of social entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurs like myself seek to save the world and to have something to show for the effort. Even though success is a long way off the effort is worth a try.
challengeforcharity
December 14, 2010
Maybe because sadly most people don’t get involved. Whether we like it or not the important thing is the end result, and maybe the involvement of governments will make it more likely that important social goals are met. Interesting article Challengeforcharity.wordpress.com
Aaron Haynes
December 14, 2010
“More movement” is all that needs to be said. I think there are a lot of “social entrepreneurs” trying really hard to make a difference. However, there are those I call “poverty pimps”, who see the third sector as an opportunity to make a quick buck (via large grants/public giving), not really caring about the people they are supposed to be serving. The rise in non-profit scandals is evidence enough. I believe those really trying to make a difference need to band together.
yellow78
December 14, 2010
I absolutely believe that social entrepreneurs can help change the world, specifically for the third world countries. For instance Philippines, almost 70 % of the population are within poverty line. With the help of “Honest Governance” it can gradually diminish the problem.
Sheryl Stark
December 19, 2010
I agree…take Jamaica, as a developing country, needs more help in promoting the youths.
kloppenmum
December 14, 2010
I definitely think that social entrpreneurs are needed. The race-as-fast-as-you-can lifestyle many westerners engage in these days is causing massive problems. Which, I guess, means that I think we need to sort out our own lives before we go dashing about the world trying to sort everyone else’s problems out.
Babygirl
December 14, 2010
Very interesting post.
Anne Sofie
December 14, 2010
Thank you for your interesting reflections. Surely we can all agree that label or not, those individuals leading the way and working for the better of our societies have been there since the dawn of time. However, how they have done this and what their unique approaches over the decades have been labeled has differed greatly. Social entrepreneurship and social entrepreneurs is one of the more recent labels, indicating an entrepreneurial and business-based approach to solving social problems.
I tend to think, that it is a word – the label of this phenomenon of entrepreneurship for social good – which is here to stay; but as with other trends and contemporary buzzwords time will be the only judge of that. I like the comment of UNCCA stating that ‘it was a buzzword but now it’s a full fledged movement.’ We might be in the early stage of that, but at least, movement is what we need – a shift in paradigm and the way we think business and societal development.
Different opinions, definitions, and labels are very symptomatic of a new field of research, and hence, do not in my opinion indicate that social entrepreneurship is a buzzword. Rather, it indicates that it is an emerging and multi-disciplinary field drawing on different schools of thoughts, which means that researchers and practitioners will address this from different angels. Naturally terminologies will differ; contradicting arguments will be made in the boundaries of the field; all necessary to get even closer to its essence. Labels will always be incomplete, but as Kelchnad states, it is in our nature to categorize – and seems innate in research. How to study a phenomenon without using any definitions, delimitation, or categories?
Practitioners on the other hand, might not care so much about the wordings; they might just want to get work done and see that change taking place. Yet, I do resonate with the idea of Skoll Foundation that having a label actually serves a purpose of uniting people within this line of work, making them more aware of each other and their work in relation to the whole; making them reflect in each others work; making them feel increasingly as contributors into a larger movement. As several of you have mentioned, it is about collaboration and uniting of the social entrepreneurs, so that they to a larger extend will join forces in their mission towards social change. Perhaps a little word, buzzword or not, ‘a cap to wear’ that makes them notice each other easier, is not such a bad thing. On the down side, the problems with labels of any kind is that they tend to limit and exclude, and set boundaries, which not always is the right ones to draw.
ganeshmuthiah
December 15, 2010
Social entrepreneurs is certainly new word for me, worth investing time to understand it more, Thanks for the Post.
enjoibeing
December 15, 2010
very interesting post. i am torn between the two. ill have to read up more about this. good post though, made me think. http://enjoibeing.wordpress.com/
Antonius
December 15, 2010
I think the term ‘Social Entrepeneur’ is ancient. Business is a social activity since you have to interact in order to conclude anything. What is causing a slight shift is in the way we do it. Before the Techno Revolution is was face to face diplomacy. Your success depended on your social skills, now we have a more blind shot gun approach with success depending on your level of Techno Skill and ability to multi-task and adapt very fast. Just a way to communicate. I think buzzword.
JavaBig
December 15, 2010
thats right
Mary Ellen Ryall
December 15, 2010
Happy Tonics is all about Social Entrepreneurship. Our mission is Sanctuary for the Monarch Butterfly. We are raising consciousness so that people learn that we need to protect polliantors and by doing so we need to educate people to plant the host plant for the butterfly. What started as a one woman advocacy in Southern Maryland has grown into a Nonprofit Environmental Education Organization and Public Charity in Northwest Wisconsin. The nonprofit was given land use (City and DNR) for two monarch butterfly habitats that are open to the public for eco-tourism and open classroom for environemntal education. Much good can come about when we “See Beyond Ourselves.” Social Entrepreneurship can take goodness from Advocacy to Action around the globe for more causes than one can dream of. Great Blog! Keep up the good work
Thank you for describing the work we do. I knew I was an entrepreneur and I was doing the work but I never had a branding name to identify the work we do. Wonderful post!
bringbalancetomylife
December 15, 2010
Thank you for sharing. There’s hope for our world. But it requires us all to pay attention and to think outside the box in a greater way than ever before.
Margaret Ivory
December 15, 2010
Great people – social entrepreneurs! I love that they give people back their self esteem. Loaning boot strings so people can pull themselves up by their boot strings and then can pay back the boot string loans and buy their own boot strings…just love it!!!
Margaret Ivory
December 15, 2010
Everyone can get involved in social entrepreneurship through http://www.kiva.org . Kiva is the glue for all of these social entrepreneurship programs worldwide.
Anne Sofie
December 15, 2010
Have you seen that the founder of Kiva Jessica Jackley, recently have launched a new idea, a site called ProFounder, which is said to be an easy way to raise money for an entrepreneurial project, and it enables you and me to invest in our neighbors, best friend, aunt Liz, or anyone else we believe in. So far, it is only functionning in the US, but I suppose it is only a matter of time, before it will include more countries. An intersting idea, I think..
portableking
December 15, 2010
how can i use kiva as a social networking website.
Anne Sofie
December 15, 2010
Kiva is not a social networking site in the traditional sense, it is a lending platform which connects people ‘with money to spare’ with entrepreneurs across the globe. It is a micro-lendig platform. For sites useful for social networking within the social field perhaps Ashokas changemakers site could be relevant, or the site Wiser Earth…or perhaps others have some good suggestions?
Margaret Ivory
December 31, 2010
Kiva.com helps us help other aspiring entrepreneurs throughout the world who need shoestrings so they can raise themselves out of poverty. Perhaps you can encourage your facebook friends or twitter followers to offer loans through kiva.com.
Anne Sofie
December 15, 2010
Just to round-up the discussion – and if anyone is interested to know more – there is this article from Stanford Social Innovation Review by Roger L. Martin & Sally Osberg, addressing the exact topic concerning defining social entrepreneurship – and their article received some quite interesting reactions/comments…
Here is their take on it: Social Entrepreneurship: The Case for Definition