How to Change the World - The Power of Social Entrepreneurs and New Ideas

Author: (American) Bernstein
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-04-01
Features: What business entrepreneurs mean for the economy, and what social entrepreneurs mean for social change. David Bernstein writes: They are those driven by ideals, creative individuals who question the status quo, explore new opportunities, refuse to give up, and ultimately aim to rebuild a better world. How to Change the World tells the compelling stories of these outstanding individuals—some from the United States, others from many countries ranging from Brazil to Austria—to provide the private sector with an "excellence guide." In the United States, a man named J.B. Schlemmer helped thousands of middle school students from low-income families enter college. In South Africa, a woman named Verónica Hosa developed a family-based AIDS patient care model, changing the government's healthcare policies. In Brazil, due to the efforts of Fábio Rosa, hundreds of thousands of rural residents in remote areas gained access to electricity. There is also James Grant, an American who led and "marketed" a global child immunization campaign, saving 25 million lives and thereby establishing his reputation. And there is Pier Drayton, an American who created a volunteer base called "Ashoka" to fund and support these social entrepreneurs, as well as over a thousand others like them, spreading the power of their ideas around the world. These extraordinary stories show us a significant transformation that has not been widely reported by the media: Around the world, the fastest-growing part of society is the private sector, while millions of ordinary people—social entrepreneurs—are increasingly stepping into places where governments and businesses have failed to solve problems. As its title suggests, How to Change the World: Social Entrepreneurs and the Power of New Ideas tells us that with determination and creativity, individuals can also achieve extraordinary accomplishments. For those who seek to leave a positive mark on the world, this is both an inspiring read and an invaluable action guide. It will change the way you see the world. What business entrepreneurs mean for the economy, and what social entrepreneurs mean for social change. David Bernstein writes: They are those driven by ideals, creative individuals who question the status quo, explore new opportunities, refuse to give up, and ultimately aim to rebuild a better world. How to Change the World tells the compelling stories of these outstanding individuals—some from the United States, others from many countries ranging from Brazil to Austria—to provide the private sector with an "excellence guide." In the United States, a man named J.B. Schlemmer helped thousands of middle school students from low-income families enter college. In South Africa, a woman named Verónica Hosa developed a family-based AIDS patient care model, changing the government's healthcare policies. In Brazil, due to the efforts of Fábio Rosa, hundreds of thousands of rural residents in remote areas gained access to electricity. There is also James Grant, an American who led and "marketed" a global child immunization campaign, saving 25 million lives and thereby establishing his reputation. And there is Pier Drayton, an American who created a volunteer base called "Ashoka" to fund and support these social entrepreneurs, as well as over a thousand others like them, spreading the power of their ideas around the world. These extraordinary stories show us a significant transformation that has not been widely reported by the media: Around the world, the fastest-growing part of society is the private sector, while millions of ordinary people—social entrepreneurs—are increasingly stepping into places where governments and businesses have failed to solve problems. As its title suggests, How to Change the World: Social Entrepreneurs and the Power of New Ideas tells us that with determination and creativity, individuals can also achieve extraordinary accomplishments. For those who seek to leave a positive mark on the world, this is both an inspiring read and an invaluable action guide. It will change the way you see the world.