About Us
ukan
ukan is an online resource that hopes to help spread information about what "Social Entrepreneurs" are doing to help solve problems occuring both in the developed and developing world. Problems such as poverty, rural decline, environmental destruction and education are often rife in developing countries and not uncommon in the developed world. In recent years, the revelations of corporate scandals and dubious government policy have made it all the more necessary for individuals to pioneer solutions to problems that are not addressed by the market or underserved by the government.
This sector has traditionally been served by "Non-Profit" organisations or Charities, however new approaches are being devised that allow sustainable and even profit making operations provide solutions to these problems. These approaches have often been led by the relentless efforts of individuals who have become intolerant of the status quo and have sought to make a difference and show people that viable and economical solutions exist to remedy these problems.
This website seeks to provide information about the efforts of these "Social Entrepreneurs" and the results of their endeavours. It also hopes to inspire a next generation of consumers and pioneers to help make the world a more equitable place.
What is Social Entrepreneurship?
Social Entrepreneurship is the application of strategies or ventures that have wide ranging positive social impacts on a particular set of people. In this website, the focus is on the application of business principles to what are traditionally thought of as areas outside of the market context. Examples of such markets are education, the poor and disabled.
Social Entrepreneurship is the application of many disciplines in such a way so as to provide an innovative service or product that has a profound and positive impact to the market it serves. The leaders who innovate come from many different fields and Social Entrepreneurs have often worked as: consultants, investment bankers, professors, doctors or lawyers. The diverse background of Social Entrepreneurs have meant that innovations have come in many different fields, from health provision to education to banking.
Some people have likened Social Entrepreneurs as, "what you would get if you combined Richard Branson with Mother Theresa". In the words of Bill Drayton who set up the Ashoka Foundation, "Social Entrepreneurs are not content just to give a fish, or teach how to fish. They will not rest until they have revolutionised the entire fishing industry."
What is ukan?
ukan is an online resource for anyone wishing to find out more about Social Entrepreneurship. The site has case studies, references and links to many sources about Social Entrepreneurship.
How can I help?
Progress is about change and what many Social Entrepreneurs aim to do is to bring about positive change to many peoples' lives. However you need not be a society changing pioneer to help contribute to this cause. Companies exist to serve customers and clients and as a customer you have the power to bring about positive change. Next time you purchase a product think one moment about where it has come from and who has produced it. For example there are many producers of coffee, however not all practice fair pricing for the purchase of their coffee beans. As a customer you can exercise your right to purchase goods from companies that you know are making a positive effort to help improve the world.
You can also help with this website. One part of this website is "News" which is a section that contains up to date news and information about the happenings in Social Entrepreneurship. It works by volunteers setting up weblogs to post information they come across about Social Entrepreneurship. If you would like to have your weblog included in this section please email me.
