2011 Curricula AWARD Winner - Social Entrepreneurship in Public Health: A New Beginning

Social entrepreneurship is the nurturing and developing of ideas that leads to new programs or approaches to social issues identified in a community. The fundamental premises are that the program (1) is an innovative approach to solving a social issue, (2) is consistent with the broader mission of the organization, (3) benefits the civic life of the community, (4) benefits the clients of the program, and (5) is managed in a way that is operationally feasible for the organization. The presentation describes a new academic and practical approach to encourage learners to examine innovative organizations and organizational leaders who have created opportunities for entrepreneurship, while providing support for public health programs that improve people's lives and that contribute to their improved social and economic conditions. The core of the course is built on reflection of these two ideas: “Social entrepreneurs identify resources where people only see problems. They view the villagers as the solution, not the passive beneficiary. They begin with the assumption of competence and unleash resources in the communities they're serving.” --David Bornstein, author. “Social entrepreneurs are not content just to give a fish or teach how to fish. They will not rest until they have revolutionized the fishing industry.” --Bill Drayton, CEO, chair and founder of Ashoka.