Hong Kong's social enterprise pioneers
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Version 0 of 1. The Hong Kong Conference and Exhibition Centre hosted a major convention this week – the International Jewellery Manufacturers' Convention – a massive celebration of all things expensive and shiny. However, those who walked on by, up an escalator and down a long corridor, might have discovered an altogether different way of business. Here you'd find the sixth annual Social Enterprise Summit of Hong Kong. Launched in 2008, this event has been working hard to raise the profile of the sector and, while social enterprise remains an interesting niche, there is a clear sense of optimism. Indeed, in many ways, Hong Kong has all the ingredients for social enterprise: take one global financial hub and throw in a highly educated and imaginative population. Add support from the government and corporations, plus a whole lot of social problems and you're ready to cook. Those social problems are perhaps key to the emergence of social enterprise. Behind the exterior image of prosperity, Hong Kong is a city at odds with itself. Economic recovery has bypassed most of the population with unemployment remaining high, wages stagnant and the gap between rich and poor extending into a chasm. That has created a sense of injustice and anger throughout the city and a sense that something needs to change. For Dr Jane Lee, chair of the summit's organising committee, it drills down to the natural sensibilities of the Hong Kong people. "I think social enterprise taps into the old Confucian ideas," she says. "It appeals to real traditional values of community, and social justice which appear to have been lost in modern business. People might see this sector as innovative, but in truth it simply goes back to those values which have been held for centuries." Among the delegates at the conference there is a sense of injustice coupled with a desire to find a solution. One such entrepreneur is Sarah Capel. Born in Hong Kong, but spending most of her life in Britain, she returned a year ago to work as a teacher. What she's seen during her time here has persuaded her that the system has to change. "It's sad and frustrating to see the way children are having to struggle," she says. "My students have so much potential, but they don't really see much of a future for themselves. I might say to one – 'what would you like to do as a career', and they say they might get to be a cleaner." Her solution comes in the form of the Pioneers for Education Reform, which aims to find a way of making it possible for more children to make the transition from education into college, as well as create options for those who don't make it. Her enterprise is still in its early stages, but represents the kind of idea that Dr Lee, and other conference organisers, are keen to encourage. However, it also represents that one precious ingredient which is missing from Hong Kong's mix – the entrepreneurs themselves. "What we lack are ideas," she explains. "There aren't enough entrepreneurs getting social enterprises started." Part of the log jam comes in the high pressure exerted on students to conform and opt for safe jobs both from their parents and the intense competition on the labour market. There isn't much in the way of a culture of entrepreneurism or the creativity needed to spark social enterprise. To ignite social enterprise in the city, therefore, the focus is on incubating those ideas that have already started and inspiring the many people who would like to launch their own enterprise to make that initial leap. Key to this are organisations such as the Good Lab, which has taken the hub model and applied it to Hong Kong. It provides a work space for those interested in social issues, as well as mentorship for upcoming enterprises. As in the UK, it is also creating the community of people, skills and ideas that is needed to push social enterprise forward. Tony Yet, one of the centre's organisers, explains: "I think what Hong Kong needs to move forward is transparency. There are lots of organisations working in the same space, but they're not talking to each other, sharing ideas, as much as they could be." The UK is also making its presence felt, with Unltd launching a Hong Kong version, while the government has added its voice with HK$500m to be dispersed among social enterprise intermediaries in a scheme mirroring that of the UK's Big Society Bank. Education is also changing, with the majority now offering some form of social enterprise study as part of their curriculum. In addition, corporations are becoming more active. HSBC's Social Enterprise Business Centre is becoming increasingly active in the sector and is working hand in hand with the government and social enterprise bodies to set up an infrastructure of support. This support has been useful in helping enterprises such as Happy Grannies, which has relied on sponsorship from government and corporate partners to get moving. "Corporate social responsibility is becoming more important for some of the biggest corporations in Hong Kong," says the company's founder Sindy Chow. "They find that by getting a 'caring company' label, it will help generate more business." While there is as yet no real culture of impact investment, there are plenty of high-net worth individuals who are willing to support social causes and not for profits. The challenge comes in persuading them of the merits of social enterprise over charity. The ingredients for growth are almost all there. The pump is primped and all that's missing is a little bit of inspiration. That creates a golden opportunity for any new social entrepreneur to shine – whether from Hong Kong or elsewhere. <strong>For more international content, visit </strong><strong>our hub</strong><strong> and join our social enterprise </strong><strong>community</strong> Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. |