How to Change the World
“Is it possible to create a system that spots pattern-changing ideas and first-class social entrepreneurs before they are proven?”
This was the question New Yorker Bill Drayton asked himself; a question that resulted in his founding of the worldwide organization Ashoka, dedicated to discovering and cultivating social entrepreneurs. Since 1981, Ashoka has appointed thousands of people as Ashoka fellows, social entrepreneurs devoted to effecting change in their countries through practical solutions. The inspiring stories of some of these Ashoka Fellows are related by author David Bornstein in his book “How to Change the World”.
I met David about 3 years ago at a private gathering at Pop Sustainability in Manhattan and that is when I first heard of his book and his passion for making a difference in the world. David tells the stories of nine people who, with tiny budgets and great strength of will, have worked tirelessly to bring about change in their countries. Among them, as well as Drayton himself, are:
• The first Ashoka fellow, Gloria de Souza, who in 1982 established Parisar Asha in India, a method of teaching Environmental Studies that has since been learned by millions of students.
• Fabio Rosa, who worked out a system of supplying electricity to farmers in Palmares, Brazil at a reduced cost, thereby improving their living conditions
• Jeroo Billimoria, whose generosity in giving her phone number to Indian street kids led to the founding of Childline, a 24-hour emergency telephone and support service for children.
David, also author of “The Price of a Dream”, the story of the anti-poverty micro-credit strategy, includes in “How to Change the World” a chapter on a woman he considers one of the first social entrepreneurs, Florence Nightingale, whose work in the 1800s revolutionized nursing.
“How to Change the World” is published by Oxford University Press and is definitely an inspiring read.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
