From poverty to entrepreneurship: That’s friendship

by Nicholas Bray, courtesy of INSEAD Knowledge

One social entrepreneur seeks to elevate those at the bottom of the pyramid in Bangladesh. But can she navigate the straits between government, the private sector and Mother Nature?

Runa Khan’sFriendship organisation works for the poorest of the poor in one of the poorest countries of the world. Many of the people of Bangladesh to whom Friendship provides healthcare, schooling and financial support live on unstable river islands at imminent risk of being swept away by floods. Read more

‘The Hapinoy Program’ Wins Project Inspire Grand Prize

The Singapore National Committee for UN Women (UN Women Singapore) and MasterCard Worldwide recently awarded a USD25,000 Women’s Empowerment grant to ‘The Hapinoy Program’ from the Philippines at the Project Inspire: 5 Minutes to Change the World Grand Finals held at the INSEAD Asia Campus in Singapore. Read more

UN Women Singapore and MasterCard Unveil Top 10 Finalists for Project Inspire: 5 Minutes to Change the World

The Singapore National Committee for UN Women (UN Women Singapore) and MasterCard have unveiled the top 10 finalists for Project Inspire: 5 Minutes to Change the World. Launched in commemoration of the 100th year of International Women’s Day, Project Inspire is a worldwide platform for socially-inspired 18-35 year-olds. This initiative gives youth from around the world the chance to empower disadvantaged women or girls in Asia/Pacific, Middle East or Africa.

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Achieving sustainability with social enterprise

Courtesy of INSEAD Knowledge, by Mrinalini Reddy

For Population and Development International, among Thailand’s largest and most diversified non-profits, recovering costs and generating revenues goes hand-in-hand with eradicating poverty and empowering rural communities in South East Asia.

Cabbages and Condoms. Open any travel guidebook to Bangkok and you’ll likely find a listing for this unusual restaurant chain where after-dinner mints are replaced with free condoms. Food reviews aside, you may have guessed there’s a social mission behind its eyebrow-raising moniker: family planning. Read more

Sustainable Brands Innovation Open Finalists Selected

Sustainable Life Media announced the top 12 Sustainable Brands Innovation Open (SBIO) finalists who will be given a full pass to the conference along with the opportunity to pitch to the Innovation Open judges and attendees on Thursday, 9 June 2011 in the Steinbeck Theater. Finalists are required to present a live pitch to a panel of judges and will have shared exhibit space during the conference. Read more

Putting social innovation and entrepreneurship on the business agenda

Courtesy of INSEAD Knowledge

John Elkington’s work advising businesses on sustainable strategies has earned him numerous accolades including the Dean of Corporate Social Responsibility by BusinessWeek in 2004. In an interview with INSEAD Knowledge, he discusses social innovation and entrepreneurship and its potential to become an increasing part of companies’ agendas. Read more

Call for submissions – Student social entrepreneurs

Dell and the University of Texas at Austin will host the annual 2011 Dell Social Innovation Competition. The competition honors college students with new ideas to improve areas of critical human need. Read more

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