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Compassion
Opportunities Abound to Serve Others
"Today, more than ever before, life must be characterized by a sense of Universal responsibility, not only nation to nation and human to human, but also human to other forms of life." - Dalai Lama
As Santa Clara University prepares to host the Dalai Lama in a few weeks, we at the Center for Science, Technology, and Society reflect on our particular answer to his call for compassion and universal responsibility. There are so many opportunities before us calling for our compassion:
- 2.6 billion people worldwide lack basic sanitation
- 1.1 billion lack safe drinking water
- 147 million children are malnourished
- 3 billion still cook over open fires
- 1.5 billion are “off-the-grid” with no access to electricity
- 500 million farmers lack market access
- 760 million adults are illiterate
The challenges of helping people in such large numbers are huge. But in our 2014 GSBI Accelerator Cohort, we've found a new wave of promising problem solvers and world-class change agents. You can help us take their visionary solutions to a whole new level and truly impact the multitudes by sponsoring a social entrepreneur's participation in our programs. Click here to read more about sponsoring a social entrepreneur.
You can also get involved in other ways. We are changing the way people change the world, and we have entry points for every player, student, social entrepreneur, Silicon Valley executive, Investor, and your average do-gooder. Below you'll find some of them. Take a moment to read on, and join us in whatever way you can.
Your fellow sojourner,
Jenifer Jayme
Director of External Relations
Center for Science, Technology, and Society
Santa Clara University | Nobili Hall
jjayme@scu.edu | Tel: 408.551.2132
www.scu.edu/socialbenefit |
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Does it Pay Off?
Former GSBI Alumni Now CEO: Hugh Whalan, GSBI Alumnus, becomes CEO of Persistent Energy Ghana (PEG), a high growth solar distribution company that will provide customers who earn only $1-$6 a day with energy. |
A Pioneer In Her Time
Ann Bowers Ahead of Her Time:
Before Carly Fiorina, Meg Whitman, Melissa Mayer, and Sheryl Sandberg, there was Ann Bowers, Silicon Valley's only top female executive in the 1970s and 1980s. The Center is honored to count Ann as a longtime friend and extraordinary benefactor who created our Global Social Benefit Fellows program, giving promising SCU students a life-changing global experience with a social enterprise. Check out the SF Chronicle article on groundbreaking women leaders, spotlighting Ann as being light years ahead of her time. |
The Measure is in Your Heart
Impact Investing: Impact investing has captured the imagination of an increasing number of people with the means to invest for ‘good’. Utilizing investment mechanisms to build markets and inclusion to under-served communities around the world is now prompting action from mainstream investors. This new video from the World Economic Forum highlights work that Santa Clara was a part of. While we do not explicitly tie market rate return to impact investing, we do assert that money and meaning - when combined - are a powerful force for positive change. The measure of each is in your heart. |
New Portal To Connect GSBI Alumni
Launching Alumni Platform: In a decade of GSBI programs we've built an extraordinary network of social entrepreneurs. We're now working to foster more active connection between them so they can build on each other's experiences. One important tool we're developing is a group site where the GSBI community can discuss best practices, feature job opportunities, post available resources, and offer continued support to alumni. There's just one question: What should we name it? Got any ideas? GSBI... What? (suggestions to date include "GSBI Connect," "GSBI Unite," and "GSBI Fuse"). Put your thinking cap on and please send any suggestions to Jaime at jgusching@scu.edu. |
SE Opportunity
Women in Business Challenge!
We support women entrepreneurs!: Our discovery partners, BiD Network and ING, are hosting a business plan competition aimed to support women entrepreneurs in starting and growing their businesses. Social entrepreneurs should apply by deadline March 1st.
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To Distribute?
To Distribute or Not to Distribute, That is the Question! Pamela Roussos co-led an Executive Immersion program to tour eight GSBI alumni in Kenya and Uganda. How do these social entrepreneurs pick the best sales and distribution models? Pamela offers insights from her trip. |
A Fellow and an iPod in Zambia
Impressive Student Action Research: Meet SCU Student and Global Social Benefit Fellow Jack Bird, an undergraduate who spent the better part of his summer in Zambia working with Lifeline Energy. If you have some interest in hearing how technology can transform a community, and in turn, how watching that transformation can impact a young leader, take a minute to read Jack's blog about his adventures and peruse the full report of Jack's findings working with social enterprise. |
GSBI Alumni Spotlighted in NYTimes
DripTech and Promethean Garner National Attenion, Check out the recent New York Times article American-Style Start-Ups Take Root in India , and you'll find a shout out to GSBI Alumni DripTech and Promethean.
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Mapping Energy Poverty and Solutions
3+ billion live in energy poverty: We've created the Energy Map to illustrate and connect the many visionaries working to provide affordable clean energy to the 3+ billion people living in energy poverty. Our goal is to help you better understand energy delivery for customers underserved by traditional markets, and the technologies and business models being used to help empower the bottom billions. This map contains data from over 60 enterprises around the world - take a minute to explore! |
SE Opportunity
Berkeley Business Competition
The Global Social Venture Competition: UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business is offering a social business plan competition to give entrepreneurs mentors and prize money to transform their business ideas into positive real-world impact. Please spread the word to any social entrepreneurs you know! |
SE Opportunity
Alleviating Poverty Through Entrepreneurship (APTE)
$15,000 and travel reimbursements paid: The Ohio State University is hosting a social enterprise business pitch competition and awarding $15,000 to social entrepreneurs, who will come to OSU campus and pitch in front of students. You'll be in good company, Video Volunteers, a 2011 GSBI Alumni, will speak there! The short applications is due today, Jan. 30th! |
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