Uncategorized Archives

Education is Everybody’s Business

We would all agree that education is a fundamental pillar of sustainable development and underpins enduring prosperity and economic growth. Indeed, it is one of the central pillars of the Millennium Development Goals. So why, despite much effort, does the achievement of quality ‘Education for All’ remain a major global challenge? One approach to scaling […]

Social Entrepreneurship & Social Innovation – Not the Same Thing

Social entrepreneurs are obsessed, quirky, and disruptive – and that’s why they can be so effective in creating major change. At the UN Social Innovation Summit held at the end of May in New York City, a plenary panelist stated that social enterprises and social innovation are “really the same thing.” This conclusion was not […]

Social Entrepreneurship & Social Innovation – Not the Same Thing

Social entrepreneurs are obsessed, quirky, and disruptive – and that’s why they can be so effective in creating major change. At the UN Social Innovation Summit held at the end of May in New York City, a plenary panelist stated that social enterprises and social innovation are “really the same thing.” This conclusion was not […]

Innovative Business Solutions on Clean Energy and Climate Change in Mozambique

We at the African Enterprise Challenge Fund are currently searching for the most innovative business solutions aiming to impact the rural poor in the following three focal areas; access to affordable clean energy, technologies which facilitate climate change adaptation financial and information services connected to clean energy and adaptation to climate change. Mozambique is a […]

Entrepreneurship in Colombia

Entrepreneurship in Colombia from Business Fights Poverty on Vimeo. Fundación Bavaria

China's Silent Army – A Review

As I write this, the ever-growing dominance of China is often in the news – and not always in a good way. From Australia, the former Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, writes in the New Statesman that ‘for the first time since George III, a non-western, non-democratic state will be the largest economy in the world. […]

China’s Silent Army – A Review

As I write this, the ever-growing dominance of China is often in the news – and not always in a good way. From Australia, the former Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, writes in the New Statesman that ‘for the first time since George III, a non-western, non-democratic state will be the largest economy in the world. […]

Four Tips for Becoming an Intrapreneur

Sometimes, the hardest part about becoming an intrapreneur is just getting started. Intrapreneurs improve existing systems by advocating for CSR, sustainability, shared value, or engaging with the community. They are internal innovators who innovate within a larger company or organization, as opposed to within startups – which are generally expected to be more innovative. I’m […]

2013 Series: Measuring Impact, for Impact, London

On Wednesday, 1 May, Business Fights Poverty convened an event with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development and the Business Innovation Facility on “Measuring Impact, for Impact” in London. The event was hosted by Standard Chartered. The event was moderated by Simon Maxwell, Senior Researcher, Overseas Development Institute. The speakers are listed below, along […]

Delivering on Africa's Promise

Africa is forging ahead. Sustained growth – despite the global downturn – has strengthened its leaders’ resolve to stay on a path of reform, even if sometimes the pace is slower than one might wish. Its businesses are beginning to build brands capable of competing internationally. Its consumers are spending more and creating opportunities for […]

Delivering on Africa’s Promise

Africa is forging ahead. Sustained growth – despite the global downturn – has strengthened its leaders’ resolve to stay on a path of reform, even if sometimes the pace is slower than one might wish. Its businesses are beginning to build brands capable of competing internationally. Its consumers are spending more and creating opportunities for […]

Creating Second-Class Employees? The problem with social intrapreneurship

I was fortunate to join a discussion this month hosted by Business Fights Poverty on what social intrapreneurs can learn from social entrepreneurs. The discussion was lively and rich, and I encourage you to read it for yourself. But one fundamental question did come up in the comments that I think deserves more consideration: Why […]

How do we deliver on "Africa’s promise", and was the UK right in its decision to end direct aid to South Africa?

How do we deliver on “Africa’s promise”, and was the UK right in its decision to end direct aid to South Africa?

Reshaping the business of social change

My name is Monique Villa and I run an international, award-winning organization in rapid expansion. My mission is to create value. My motto is global impact. I am CEO of the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the corporate charity of the world’s leading source of news and information. I am a business woman working in philanthropy. To […]