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Social innovation has been gaining importance worldwide at a rapid pace and this the reason why more and more institutes need to provide proper training to aspiring learners and empower them to bring about the necessary changes in society.
Educating Social Innovators
Almost a decade, most universities barely offered any official support for aspiring social entrepreneurs and innovators. Although students could pursue courses on social issues, political science and policy; there was a lack of real-world skills training on social innovation, strategy, management and leadership. However the scenario is changing drastically now.
Derek Ellerman, co-founder of Polaris Project and graduate of Brown University, said “Today, a remarkable shift is underway. Brown and dozens of other universities across the country are part of a growing movement in higher education to make the social impact of their graduates a central institutional priority.” He added that “One of the main organizations pushing this trend is Ashoka U, which has created the Changemaker Campus Consortium to recognize and support universities at the leading edge of this change. ” Ellerman is geared up to launch his initiative SHIFT which will support the new breed of social innovators and entrepreneurs.
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But What Do You Mean By A Social Innovator?
A social innovator is motivated to develop skills which you simply cannot outsource which are inherently human. These skills are highly important especially in the conceptual age. They promote the key values advocated by the United Nations: we are a single family who live in a fragile and interdependent world. The truth is we need new thinking to counter the challenges of the 21st Century. Hence social innovators are dedicated to bring about a positive change in the society and add meaning and value to their respective lives.
Need For Social Innovation Education
This is the reason why there is a strong need providing quality social innovation education so that we can develop the upcoming generation of innovators. Ellerman said “I had the opportunity this summer to serve on the selection panel for the newest members of the Changemaker Campus Consortium – Portland State University, Rollins College, Brigham Young University, and, yes, Brown – which joined the current 15 members, among them Duke, Arizona State, Middlebury, and The New School. Hearing about some of the groundbreaking new initiatives these colleges and universities are advancing was incredibly heartening. ”
This is certainly a great news not only for social entrepreneurs but also for the business sector in general. Companies will now have better access better trained and skilled graduates and re-trained mid-career executives and professionals. That will not only have real experience as managers, leaders and innovators, but they will also know how to effectively focus on the environmental and social impact of their efforts.
Moreover, this news will also be especially great for the new breed of social innovators who can now receive the required training and education that will enable them to reach their goals and create the desired social impact.
What are your thoughts on social innovation education? Feel free to share your opinions with us by commenting below.
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