I’m excited to attend the event on January 30. Not only because I will be emceeing or moderating the panel discussion, but it is going to be the very first Social Entrepreneurship Forum to happen in Baguio City where we can gain another dose of learning and inspiration.
The term social entrepreneurship has been running the waves for quite some time but it was only last year when I had a good grasp of what it means: social entrepreneurship is solving a social problem through a business enterprise.
Its concept is very noble but surely, just like all other good things, it takes hard work. It also requires sound business acumen to add to the passion to serve the society. I commend the Baguio Institute of Business Professionals for putting this together along with the support of BPI Foundation, the Ateneo Center for Social Entrepreneurship, and the other sponsors.
Personally, I still don’t have a specific idea of a social enterprise that I could probably put up which would contribute to solving social problems in our communities here in Benguet or the Cordilleras. But this event is certainly a very good opportunity to learn from social entrepreneurs themselves who have gone through the path, succeeded and continue to serve the society through their respective enterprises or causes.
To the young minds out there: Come and let’s learn together!
I am heralding this event, by the way – it’s FOR FREE, because I believe it is high time we start investing time for our learning especially on areas like this. Understanding these matters could help us better examine those social illnesses that cripple or slow down the progress of the society and actually do something about them through our personal actions – whether one actually puts up a social enterprise or not. Certainly, putting up one is desired. But we can start by gaining awareness and understanding of these valuable concepts, strategies and stories that could improve our communities.
This learning event is good for Mang Jun, a starting entrepreneur, who wants to solve a problem in his barangay; for Jacky, a young professional, who works in the corporate world and trying to “find herself;” for Joshua, a college student, who is about to graduate and is excited to face the world; for Jill, an employee, who wants to do more than her job; for Jeremie, an unemployed graduate waiting for her employer’s call; for Jerry, a former OFW who came back home; and for John and Jenny who want to learn.
Are you like Mang Jun, Jacky, Joshua, Jill, Jeremie, Jerry, John or Jenny? I have two invitations for you: attend this event and explore the idea it offers.
This is also a good opportunity to meet other people and perhaps make new friends. Being and communicating with other members of the society is in itself a foundational move to solving social problems.
To those who can come, I’ll see you. To those who can’t, it’s OK – explore on this concept. I hope to meet you soon in whatever event that would be. Keep learning and stay significant in the society. For more info about the event, see poster on the back page.
(Chris Dao-anis/CPA, as an author and speaker, helps aspiring and young professionals become better communicators and leaders. His first book ‘The Gift of the Ordinary’ is available at Mt. Cloud Bookshop, Casa Vallejo, Upper Session Road, Baguio City and in Central Bookstores (Metro Manila and Cebu). For seminars and resources, visit www.chrispoweracademy.com or email chrisdaoanis@ymail.com.)