Social Entrepreneurship in the Age of Atrocities: Changing Our World

by Zachary D. Kaufman (Editor)

Overview

Social Entrepreneurship in the Age of Atrocities provides crucial insight into social entrepreneurship from visionaries in the field as well as other experienced practitioners and renowned theorists. While this book focuses on social entrepreneurship as it relates to genocide and other atrocities, the experiences and lessons learned also apply to additional critical social, economic, legal and political problems such as healthcare, development, education and literacy.

The authors in this book address the clear need for further examination of social entrepreneurship. They discuss the challenges, obstacles and opportunities of the field and lend new insight to the concept, history and methodologies of social entrepreneurship. The book profiles case studies based on some of the most innovative and effective social enterprises addressing atrocities, including the National Vision for Sierra Leone, Asylum Access, the Kigali Public Library, Indego Africa, Generation Rwanda, Orphans Against AIDS, Americans for Informed Democracy, and Children of Abraham. Social Entrepreneurship in the Age of Atrocities will inform, instruct and build the community of social entrepreneurs.

This unique, essential collection of first-hand accounts is an inspiring and informative addition to the evolving social entrepreneurship literature. It will be of particular interest to social entrepreneurs; students, scholars and practitioners of business, management, public policy, social policy and development studies; anyone with a philanthropic mindset; and all those who are invested in creating and maintaining a socially responsible, accountable world.

Contributors: A. Alexander, E.E. Arnold-Fernandez, A. Bernhard, A. Chua, M. De Lorenzo, C.L. Dorsey, B. Drayton, D. Ellis, C.B. French, S. Green, S. Grinsell, B. Harrell-Bond, J. Hodari, Z.D. Kaufman, A. Klaber, R. Levitan, L. Maloney, M.T. Mitro, G.R. Rahman, S. Raseman, O. Rothschild, B.D. Stone, A. Zervos

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781781002131
Publisher:	Edward Elgar Publishing
Publication date:	11/30/2012
Pages:	304
Product dimensions:	9.40(w) x 6.30(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Edited by Zachary D. Kaufman, Social Entrepreneur, is an Attorney Practicing at an International Law Firm and affiliated with Harvard University, US

Table of Contents

Contents:

Dedications and Donations

Foreword
Bill Drayton

Preface
Amy Chua

1. Social Entrepreneurship in the Age of Atrocities: Introduction
Zachary D. Kaufman

2. ‘I Pray Never to See Again What I Saw’: The National Vision for Sierra Leone
Sophie Raseman and Anthea Zervos

3. Starting a Movement for Refugee Rights in the Global South: Asylum Access and Beyond
Emily E. Arnold-Fernández, Mauro De Lorenzo, Barbara Harrell-Bond and Rachel Levitan

4. Social Entrepreneurship in a Post-Genocide Society: Building Rwanda’s First Public Library, the Kigali Public Library
Zachary D. Kaufman

5. ‘Stand Bold’: Indego Africa’s Business Case for Rwandan Women
Conor B. French, Matthew T. Mitro and Benjamin D. Stone

6. Transformation through Education: Generation Rwanda and Access to Higher Education for Rwanda’s Orphans and Vulnerable Youth
Dai Ellis, Jamie Hodari and Oliver Rothschild

7. Providing Access to Education for Children Orphaned or Made Vulnerable by HIV/AIDS: Orphans Against AIDS
Scott Grinsell and Andrew Klaber

8. Inspiring Generational Change: Americans for Informed Democracy
Seth Green and Leah Maloney

9. Re-connecting Cousins: Children of Abraham
Ari Alexander and Gul Rukh Rahman

10. Social Entrepreneurship in the Age of Atrocities: Lessons Learned and Conclusion
Zachary D. Kaufman

Afterword
Cheryl L. Dorsey

Appendix: Social Entrepreneurship Resources and Institutions

Index

Editorial Reviews

‘How can anyone make a difference in a world marked by genocide, civil war, refugee crises, disease epidemics? With conscience, hope, and sweat equity, Dr. Zachary Kaufman and the other contributors to this book have offered aid, created organizations serving victims of human rights violations, and learned from set-backs and failures. Their insight into challenges of sustainable fund-raising, organizational design and management, and skepticism about young Western volunteers can inspire and instruct others who hope to address suffering and injustice through initiative, analysis, and commitment.’

Martha Minow

’Under the able editorship of Dr. Zachary Kaufman, an upstander in his own right, this pathbreaking book demystifies social entrepreneurship, namely, citizen-inspired initiatives that may have as much potential to overcome the challenges burdening victims of atrocities and other assaults on humankind as social media has demonstrated in revolutionizing how people communicate in the 21st Century.’

From the Publisher

‘Social Entrepreneurship in the Age of Atrocities interweaves two critical movements: social entrepreneurship and human rights. Kaufman is one of the first to explore these intersections in a powerfully informative way. He and his fellow social entrepreneurs provide concrete examples of, and offer practical advice about, the power of ordinary people to confront one of the most intractable problems: mass atrocities. Kaufman demonstrates how we can all be “upstanders” in the face of such conflicts.’

Mark Hanis

‘Dr. Zachary Kaufman provides powerful lessons for anyone committed to preventing atrocities, ending conflicts, building peace, and fostering systematic and sustainable positive social change. The compelling and honest first-hand accounts by leading social entrepreneurs working in diverse sectoral areas help ground the field by providing unique insight into the many opportunities, successes, and challenges encountered through the difficult task of change making. This powerful text will inspire many young people and others to take action and work hard in pursuing innovative ways to address some of the most complex, seemingly intractable problems facing the world today. This book should be required reading for anyone seeking to positively impact the world, one step at a time.’

Dr. Craig Zelizer

‘Social Entrepreneurship in the Age of Atrocities is a bold work of definition and analyses. It presents both concepts and histories – focused on individuals and groups – in response to mass violence and atrocities. This significant study, edited by Zachary Kaufman, is a work of clarification and inspiration.’

Dr. Judith S. Goldstein

‘For anyone who doubted one person could change the world or just wondered how to get started, Dr. Kaufman’s book is equal parts inspiration and how-to guide. He has lived and studied social entrepreneurship, and provides a serious contribution to the emerging field of social entrepreneurship, particularly as it relates to genocide and other atrocities.’

The Honorable Tom Perriello

‘This splendid book is more than a primer on social entrepreneurship for human rights in the developing world. It is also a compendium of searing testimony about the immense practical challenges that idealistic changemakers can overcome by dint of their unflagging energy, incandescent visions of humanity and justice, and on-the-ground skills and resourcefulness. Zachary Kaufman has performed a great public service in orchestrating this admirable volume about how hope for the future can be vindicated even under the most unpromising conditions.’

Peter H. Schuck

‘Dr. Kaufman’s book is a huge addition to the field, and his focus [on atrocities] is spot on. Looking at social entrepreneurship through the lens offered in this book will provide the field with new insights and inspiration. Bravo!’

Peter Brinckerhoff

‘At last, a compelling narrative of the recent achievements to address pressing global issues through social entrepreneurship! This book is a tribute to the author’s ethical convictions and the generation of innovators that he represents. As Chairman of UNITAID, the first laboratory of innovative financing, I’ve seen how a small levy on airline tickets can save thousands of lives every year through market solutions. It warms me to see how young thinkers continue to innovate and act to provide global public goods. Pay attention to them!’

Philippe Douste-Blazy UN Under Secretary-General in charge of Innovative Financing for Development

‘At a time when so many reflexively look to government action as a remedy for today’s ills, this valuable book demonstrates the power of social entrepreneurs to take on some of the world’s great challenges. Social entrepreneurship is grounded in real-world experience. The projects this book profiles demonstrate the impact of individuals as agents of change – taking ideas and turning them into action that can help transform entire societies.’

Dr. Arthur C. Brooks

‘Social Entrepreneurship in the Age of Atrocities deftly outlines how young global peace entrepreneurs are successfully fostering smart and agile solutions to some of the world’s most intractable problems. Gone are the tired images of doves and peace signs, rightfully replaced with laptops and smart phones. This is a must read for all young leaders who strive to have real impact in their careers, as well as the old guard if they care not to be left behind by the winds of change.’

Cameron M. Chisholm

‘The accounts of social entrepreneurs contained in this volume could well inspire a future shortlist for the Nobel Peace Prize. Zachary Kaufman has coupled impressive narratives with compelling analysis in a collection that informs observers but that will also stimulate more young people to take up the challenges of responding to atrocities.’

Dr. William A. Schabas

‘This book is nothing less than an antidote against despondency. In and of itself an innovation, Dr. Zachary Kaufman’s collection of personal narratives by change agents reveals a pattern of how people are bringing light to areas where there seems to be nothing but darkness. The remarkably simple recipe of these social entrepreneurs is to take a good dose of caring, add an innovative solution, and finally knead the project through the phases of iterative testing and growth until impact is achieved. Finally we have in this book an addition to the ever-growing library of literature on human rights and atrocities that is not a call to arms or a cry of accusatory indignation, but a cheerful invitation to roll up one’s sleeves.’

Dr. Fernande Raine

‘Social Entrepreneurship in the Age of Atrocities is a welcome contribution to the study of one of the most promising social movements in recent time, the mobilization of engaged citizens, or Upstanders, in the face of mass atrocities around the world. Zachary Kaufman incisively investigates how social entrepreneurs are taking on tough issues including conflict prevention and transitional justice, and presents practical lessons learned from the perspective of activists on the ground.’

John Prendergast

‘Zachary Kaufman’s new book expands the term social entrepreneur to include human rights advocates – in this instance, young people from the Global North, who have chosen to speak out, stand up, and intervene in the complex contexts of war, atrocity, and civil conflict. Kaufman’s provocative book includes case studies that will help challenge prevailing definitions of this emerging field as it explores how, where, and why social entrepreneurs are engaging with the intersection of geo-politics, international law, and social change.’

Kavita N. Ramdas

‘This book makes an all too rare and important point: One of the distinguishing characteristics of social entrepreneurs is the way their actions and their example pave the way for peace. Kaufman gives us multiple examples here to demonstrate that the kind of empathetic leadership exhibited by these social entrepreneurs builds an alternative to conflict and contributes to the stability and security of societies.’

Dr. Diana Wells