FAF E.D. at Nantong Conference

PowerPoint Presentation Summary:
March 2010

What is social entrepreneurship? 

It is defined as “the work of a social entrepreneur … who recognizes a social problem and uses entrepreneurial principles to organize, create, and manage a venture to make social change .” But what does that mean in terms of the national psyche of a people? 

The main aim of social entrepreneurship as well as a social enterprise is to further social and environmental goals for a good cause. Although social entrepreneurs often are associated with nonprofits (NGOs), social enterprise need not be incompatible with making a profit. Social enterprises are for ‘more-than-profit,’ using blended value business models that combine a revenue-generating business with a social-value-generating structure or component. A social entrepreneur in the twenty-first century will redefine entrepreneurship, as we know it, due to their progressive business models.

Bringing an American perspective to the discussion, this talk will focus on defining it within the character of a nation, in this particular time of the world with its special economic needs and vocational considerations, and with regard to specific ideas fostered by Friendship Ambassadors Foundation for over 35 years.

In Mr. Sciarratta’s view of social entrepreneurship, all sides benefit: the nation, through an increased success rate on providing real social development for its people while generating pride in its culture during the process; the investor and company manager, who get to make needed projects for their community, nation, or world, and turn a profit, or at least create salaried jobs in the process; and of course the individual and community, which benefits from the services that would have otherwise gone unfunded due to their high cost if attempted on the public payroll.

Patrick Sciarratta, Executive Director of Friendship Ambassadors Foundation (USA) will reflect on the meaning of “SE” as it is evolving in the post-economic crisis of the West. Mr. Sciarratta has addressed conferences around the world, most notably at the United Nations in New York, about one specific focus on which he will address his main topic. The foundation he serves has focused on a proven example of social enterprise success: tourism and cultural exchange as a means of sustainable development, peace building, and profit worldwide. 

China, in particular, has thousands of years of deep and rich culture to bring to its own special brand of cultural tourism beyond the clichés, such as the Summer Palace, Forbidden City, etc. There, foreigners are guided to learn only what happened and what life was like in the past. Through newer cultural exchange models, real life becomes a fascinating way to both experience and protect traditional ways of living and appreciating culture. With so man minority groups living together and each with its own beautiful culture, this type of tourism product in China is already a major draw for global travelers, as well as those in the tourism, culture, and hospitality industries. Making these travel products more accessible to investors will eventually attract great profits (ROI), while promoting multicultural understanding as a way to enhance national image. 

Patrick will also provide other examples of social enterprise or social entrepreneurism in a variety of fields for consideration by those representing vocations ranging from food production to waste management and even gardening. Mr. Sciarratta’s work with his first social enterprise was at the Council on Economic Priorities, where he worked as a Development Associate, in 1972. For the last sixteen years, he has run a multimillion-dollar foundation that accepts few donations and mostly enables its mission through contracted work in the field of development and peace building throughout the underdeveloped world. 

Patrick Sciarratta ha recently made the case for social enterprise at the 4th Petra Conference of Nobel laureates, where he was a guest of Jordan’s King Abdullah. He was President Clinton’s Presidential Representative at the first ever White House Conference on Travel and Tourism and he received the first ever MacArthur (Genius) Award given to a project: the Palenville Interarts Colony, during his tenure as director. Mr. Sciarratta has his Masters Degree in Theatre Anthropology as a Gallatin Scholar from New York University, is listed in several Who’s Whos and is co-editor of the NGO Reporter, disseminated by the UN Department of Public Information, where he is an annual UN Badge holder and directs the annual Youth Assembly at the United Nations (one of the largest youth gatherings on the UN’s annual calendar).