PGD Session 1-1
Session Theme: Multidimensional Analysis: In-depth Discussion on Resolving Poverty with Diverse Models of Social Entrepreneurship in Asia.
Session Time: 16:30~18:30, Nov. 29
Social Enterprise Based on Social Economy - Building up the Strength of Networks for Social Economy in Asia.
At 4:30pm, Monday, November 29, 2010, there was the group discussion for 2 hours, about “Social enterprise based on social economy”, in the Cheonggyue Hall, Seoul KyoYuk MunHwa Hoekwan. Participants filled the Hall, and showed great concentration and active participation despite the long hours.
This group discussion gave opportunity for participants to set up and discuss common aspects of social entrepreneurs, identify new and more social entrepreneurs, and reinforce networks between social entrepreneurs in Asia. This discussion was conducted with Uchida Shoko in the Chair, as Secretary General of Pacific Asia Resource Center.
The first speaker was Benjamin Quinones. Benjamin, President of Asian Forum for Solidarity Economy and CSR-SME Asia, explained the concept of “alternative economy”, which enables to mainstream neglected farmers without writing them off. Benjamin also suggested that we should not be satisfied only with a “business mind”, but must also show values and share our visions with each other, by connecting all interested parties and forming a cooperative economy.
The next speaker was Bamgbang Ismawan, Chairman of Board of Trustee (Bina Swadaya) Foundation. He stated the problem of extreme poverty in Asia and emphasized the role of social enterprises which had grown to eradicate poverty and operated outside of the government-level development policies. He specifically stressed the growing role of social enterprises, development of consumer products within the local community, promotion and development of a self-reliant policy based on local community needs and the development of microfinance services.
Reiko Inoue, President of PARC Inter-Peoples’ Cooperation, spoke about the need of sharing values among social enterprises; and social enterprises as alternatives from mainstream, general enterprises. Introducing coffee business in East Timor and its effects, she stressed the importance of networks and unlimited cooperation transcending national boundaries.
Young-Geun Kwon, Director General of the Korean Society for Research on Sustainable Agriculture, Food and Environment, drew attention to the problem of rural communities neglected through industrialization. He indicated the need to re-establish agriculture, in order to eliminate this social exclusion; and to make a cycloid society, based on economy, culture and nature.
The last speaker was Denison Jayasooria, (Hon. Chairman of the Centre for Social Entrepreneurship at Binary University College) who drew applause from the audience by re-defining poverty. He said “We shouldn’t understand the poor only economically, but must draw on their potential from a humane point of view.” He also said, “The impact of the poverty level to economy isn’t small and that’s because this world stands up based on mutual relationship.”