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An Engaging Approach to Entrepreneurship Training: Four Free Case Studies Highlight Solutions to Business Dilemmas in Emerging Markets
Entrepreneurs in emerging markets face a number of common challenges when growing their businesses, yet there is a lack of affordable and accessible training tools geared specifically to their needs. To help fill that gap, the William Davidson Institute (WDI)'s Entrepreneurship Development Center has published four free case studies exploring dilemmas faced by small businesses on the path to growth. WDI's Amy Gillett and Kristin Babbie Kelterborn highlight these studies, which can be put to use in entrepreneurship training programs or used by entrepreneurs themselves.
- Categories
- Education
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‘Earn While You Learn’: Empowering Indigenous Students with Professional Skills in India and Beyond
Some 8.6% of India’s population is indigenous, and this tribal population faces a vicious cycle of poverty fueled by a lack of formal learning opportunities. After growing up in poverty himself, Achyuta Samanta founded the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences to provide vocational training to tribal students. He explains how the model, which includes an "earn while you learn" program, supports economic growth, entrepreneurship and community development, enabling students to work themselves and their families out of poverty.
- Categories
- Education
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Leveraging Tech During the Pandemic: How Apps Can Protect Lives in Developing Countries
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, vulnerable communities in many developing countries are dealing with a lack of accurate information about the virus – and facing the broader challenge of limited healthcare access. Bowen Khong at ForexToStock profiles some organizations that have responded to these challenges with innovative, healthcare-focused apps. He explores how these apps are fighting misinformation and connecting people in hard-hit communities to the care they need, and explains why impact investors should keep a close eye on these health tech solutions.
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- Coronavirus, Education, Health Care, Technology
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Innovative Philanthropy: Why Charitable Giving in Global Education Is Good Business
The business community is increasingly aware of its social responsibility and the impact of its charitable giving — and this shift is influencing how it interacts with the philanthropic sector. Kingsley Pungong of Rainbow Sports Global shares the changes he's seen as a long-term entrepreneur and philanthropist, and explores how innovative new giving models can benefit both recipients and donors. As a case in point, he explains how his recent donations in support of global childhood education will improve his business dealings and make a strong social impact.
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- Education, Investing, Transportation
- Tags
- corporations, philanthropy
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Educating the Sustainability Generation: How Universities Can Advance Social Business and Innovation
The world is facing unprecedented challenges, and new economic systems centered around social and environmental impact can help solve them, say Aline Laucke and Ella-Maria Gollmer of Studio Nima. But to build a more sustainable future, they explain, universities need to integrate innovative concepts like social business into their educational models. They explore the benefits – and challenges – of bringing this new focus to higher education.
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- Education, Social Enterprise
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Big Data and AI in Africa: Why the Future of the Continent Is Artificially Intelligent and Digitally Enabled
Life would be easier for the average African if technology were utilized to its fullest potential. According to Jasmine Nnenne Mbadugha at the London School of Economics and Political Science, the continent's digital potential can be seen particularly at the intersection of big data and artificial intelligence. She explores how Africa can leverage these two emerging technologies to support economic development and play a role in the global digital revolution – and how it can overcome some key challenges it will face in the process.
- Categories
- Education, Technology
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When It Comes to K-12 Education, Where Are the Impact Investors?
For decades, reports have shown how schools in America are lagging behind their counterparts in other countries in key areas – particularly in lower-income communities. But though more funding could help schools achieve better results, impact investors have yet to contribute meaningfully to the funding of K-12 education systems. Mark Medema at the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools argues that the private sector, led by impact investors, can and must play a bigger role.
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Avoiding Information Overload: Four Lessons From a Performance Manager on How To Use Data To Drive Development Outcomes
Development impact bonds (DIBs) are a popular way to drive successful social outcomes – but assessing a program's effectiveness requires a lot of data. Dayoung Lee and Dia Banerjee at Dalberg Advisors share lessons they've learned from managing the performance of the world’s largest education DIB, showing how data can improve outcomes without causing undue burdens on the organizations that should be benefiting from it.
- Categories
- Education, Investing, Technology