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Over the past decade social entrepreneurship and innovation have been the subject of serious discussion and increasing relevance, making the topic one of today's premier avenues for investigation, investment and innovation from the academic, business and non-profit sectors. Countless conferences, articles and books extol its potential. Despite variation among definitions, the foundation of social innovation lies in the process of combining the best thinking from all the business, government and social sectors to solve social problems that result in the creation of lasting social value.
Creating social value as a social entrepreneur or social innovator takes curiosity and boldness - a certain spirit. But to be useful in creating social change, these characteristics must be firmly based in discipline, drive, clarity and knowledge. Mercy Corps has worked since its inception in 1979 to build an agency culture of social entrepreneurship and to catalyze innovative, community based solutions in its programs around the world.
As a result of Mercy Corps' track record as disciplined innovators, the All China Youth Federation (ACYF) asked Mercy Corps to help educate their future leaders in the concepts and practices of innovation, social problem-solving and partnership-building for the common wealth. ACYF's hope is for an emboldened new generation of leaders who will enable the creation of a robust civil society in China, thus enlarging the country's capacity for innovative social problem solving.
The purpose of this program was to engage China's future government leaders in an exploration of the successes and challenges of social organization-driven and government-enabled development. Led by SOM graduate Mignon Mazique this program presented a powerful opportunity to engage with the future leaders of China through an open dialogue.
In a presentation called "Public-Private Partnerships and the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund," CBEY Program Director, Bryan Garcia, discussed how clean energy and climate change policy can advance economic development objectives through public-private partnerships.
The following information was shared with the program delegates at the event:
