The way forward

"The future depends on what we do today." - Mahatma Gandhi

Since the turn of the century, the field of Social Innovation and Enterprise (SI&E) has taken significant strides.  Entrepreneurs and innovators have demonstrated in varied geographies and cultures that SI&E can foster economic growth and social change. Undeniably, a part of the responsibility to strengthen this momentum is with the policy makers in our governments. There is no dearth of great ideas or enthusiasm with in the community of innovators. However, the chances of SI&E making a widespread impact depends on having a sophisticated support framework like in business or in academia.

According to OECD, Innovation policy is seen to have an important role in influencing innovation performance. In the long run, a collaboration between the innovation efforts in business, academia and the social paradigms  have a potential for tremendous pay-offs for the governments. EU's 2020 agenda recognizes the need for  framework for financing and mobilizing social change. The need of the hour is policy decisions which propagate these initiatives. As discussed in this article, making internet access universal is one such crucial decision.

Skeptics of SI&E often argue about the ability of it to make a large-scale change. It is important for us to understand that without the supporting infrastructure, it would be unreasonable to expect SI&E to do wonders at a mega-scale. Imagine, a place with no infrastructure to conduct business or a system of universities to conduct research. Would it be possible to have sustainable businesses or institutions of learning? Barring a few exceptions, perhaps not! The economic growth and social well-being in the coming decades will be determined with the decisions we make today. The choice is with our leaders, policy-makers  and most importantly us. Will SI&E be a solution to a number of the world's problems or just a utopian dream?