Health and Human Rights Conference 2010 - Aid Effectiveness

On March 5th and 6th 2010, The 2010 Health and Human rights conference will be presented by University of Toronto International Health Program (UTHIP).

The 2010 Health and Human Rights Conference (HHRights) is about the impacts of international aid and development on the health, rights, and livelihoods of people around the world. How have rich countries influenced the governance and growth of poor countries? Does aid go to where it is needed and how can we ensure that it does?

There will also be a special focus on student overseas volunteerism, and the popular NGO-Networking Fair is returning along with some new and exciting features, including the workshop which will be presented by Jason Saul who is the Chief Executive Officer of Mission Measurement. HHRights 2010 promises to be a truly engaging and not-to-be-missed experience for those who interested in social entrepreneurship too.

More detail information about the conference’s focus follows this article written by Edil K., who is vice-chair of HHRights 2010 committee.

Social Enterprise: Is it really the Best Solution to Achieve Positive Social Impact?

One may argue that social enterprise is an example of ‘enlightened’ capitalism, as organizations and companies use markets, which Marxists loathe as generators of social ills, to achieve lofty social ends.  Jason Saul’s Mission Measurement is emblematic of a popular trend toward corporate social responsibility (CSR), as his firm evaluates the social impact capacity of both for and non-profit organizations and assists them in crafting solutions to achieve palpable social improvement. Although I agree with and applaud his organization as it checks organizations undertaking CSR projects, is social enterprise the best means to achieve social goals?

Is it troubling that mammoth corporations, such as McDonald’s, are now taking up the task of social responsibility? For instance, Ronald Mc Donald House Charities aims to ameliorate children’s health and well being. The help they provide families with young children stricken with cancers and disabilities is truly admirable, but isn’t the entire premise Mc Donald’s producing and marketing nutrient starved fast food to the general population, including children, antithetical to social improvement as such foods can spur illness? Sure some companies are self-reflexive and may want to better society, but some corporations need to be cognizant of possible conflict between corporation mandate and its social amelioration goals. Could social enterprise be viewed as short term solution? Why do we question poor corporate practices while simultaneously commend their charitable acts as if the latter can erase the former?

Indeed the critical evaluation of organizations such as Mission Measurement is needed to score corporations embarking on corporate responsibility. However, the solutions such organizations provide to corporations may inherently contradict desired socially responsible outcomes, as corporations themselves generate social impact issues; some corporation mandates cannot be reconciled with their charitable social ambitions and endeavors.

To its merit, Mission Measurement also critically evaluates and informs government policy, which I feel is the most effective way to bring about substantive social change. As the organization serves as a government check, it asks the tough questions, such as whether public funds are effectively spent to further optimal social projects. Indeed, Mission Measurement pressuring government to deliver public goods is perhaps one organizational aspect many may be keen on. Could the existence of social enterprises, then, index government failure to guarantee social welfare to all its citizens?

If you have similar questions about the nature of social enterprise, come and listen to Jason Saul, Chief Executive Officer of Mission Measurement, along with other academics and experts in the fields of social enterprise and human rights at the 2010 Health and Human Rights Conference, taking place March 5, and 6. You can purchase tickets online at www.hhrights.ca . Come to the conference with your critical thinking caps on!

- Edil K (Guest blog contributor)

Notes
Also, while Kraft Foods is attempting to be a better global citizen through such programs as Salsa, Sabor y Salud (U.S.), Health 4 Schools (United Kingdom), and Eating to Live Better (Mexico), shouldn’t we also be concerned with non-profit organizations like the American Red Cross and the American Humane Society. Saul’s organization deserves credit, as measuring company and nonprofit performance of social responsibility is important but is social enterprise really a sound means to engender social impact?