Driving change through the power of entrepreneurship
The recognition of entrepreneurship's contribution to sustainable development is increasingly seen as an important part of inclusive growth.
10 November 2014
As UN Member States negotiate the contours and scope of the post-2015 development agenda, a number of key issues are being examined that will help promote an inclusive and sustainable growth that leaves no one behind.
One of the issues being discussed is entrepreneurship which – with its ability to turn creativity, energy and ideas into business opportunities – can contribute to sustainable development by creating jobs and driving economic growth and innovation, improving social conditions and contributing to addressing environmental challenges.
The recognition of entrepreneurship’s contribution to sustainable development, through job creation and innovation, is being taken up by the UN General Assembly’s Second Committee (which covers economic and financial issues) in a resolution entitled “Entrepreneurship for development”. To aid in this discussion, the Permanent Mission of Israel to the United Nations in partnership with the International Labour Organization’s Office for the United Nations and the Permanent Mission of Rwanda to the United Nations co-hosted a panel discussion on “The Power of Entrepreneurship”.
The event sent out a clear message about the global understanding of the power of entrepreneurship for sustainable development.
In his opening remarks, H.E. Mr. Ron Prosor, Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations and Mr. Olivier Nduhungirehe, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republic of Rwanda to the United Nations, both underlined the importance their countries attribute to entrepreneurship.
“Israelis understand the enormous gains that come from investing in entrepreneurs”, explained Ambassador Prosor. “The State of Israel was born just 66 years ago and to say that the odds were against us would be a real understatement. We had a tiny little land, even less water and no oil.” However, by investing in its citizens, Israel managed to turn the small nation into a global powerhouse – attracting the world’s largest and most successful technology companies.
Ambassador Prosor stressed that through entrepreneurship we can overcome the world’s most pressing challenges. “Today, Israeli innovations are helping quench the world’s thirst for water, they are curing once incurable diseases, and they are helping farmers grow more crops from every drop” stated Ambassador Prosor.
Ambassador Nduhungirehe noted that entrepreneurship is very important for Rwanda which has been guided by the objectives of ensuring “entrepreneurship is envisioned by the people and especially by youth as a legitimate career path”, the importance of fighting corruption and “promoting the empowerment of women.” He emphasized that “if our challenge is to promote decent work in order to eradicate poverty then entrepreneurship is a necessary key for our success.”
The panel discussion gathered experts and entrepreneurs from the United States, Israel and Uganda, who shared their expertise and inspiring stories, offering a multidimensional overview of the power of entrepreneurship. In her earlier experience of working with children with disabilities, Ms. Adi Altschuler, a social entrepreneur, founded a youth organization called "Krembo Wings" at age 16. This youth movement came about because of an earlier experience through which it became clear to her that “there is nothing wrong with people with disabilities”. The idea struck her that these children, who had highly developed social skills, “needed the assistance of others to engage in social activities” which many of these children were missing. Through her entrepreneurial skills she identified a need and matched it with a movement that enhanced these children’s lives.
Ms. Donna Kelley, an Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship at Babson College, presented the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM), the largest global research program on entrepreneurship, provided an overview of the current findings and trends on entrepreneurship at the international level. In discussing her research, she noted that developing economies are usually factor driven meaning “they mostly depend on natural resources and on consumption, and usually engage in entrepreneurships because they don’t have other options.”
When speaking to the question of how many jobs will be created due to the entrepreneurship activity, Ms. Kelley said her research showed a mixed picture. Some entrepreneurship activities, she stated do not create many jobs such as the case of a one-person business. However, entrepreneurs that are driven to grow and create many jobs depend on an environment conducive to innovation and risk-taking. It is these “entrepreneurs that can promote economic and social growth in a country.”
Another panelist, Amos Wekesa, had built the Great Lakes Safaris from nothing to one of the most successful tourism businesses in Uganda. Mr. Wekesa said that “after finishing school, I was looking for a job. I couldn’t find any decent job, and lived in poverty.” When a series of poorly paid jobs did not pan out, he decided to save money and to start working independently as a tour guide. As his business flourished and he became successful he felt that “something was missing”.
He said that it was only then he understood that “in order to be happy I needed to contribute to society, through the creation of jobs.” In conveying the importance of job creation to a workers’ family and communities in which people live he stated that in Africa “one job supports between 6-7 people.” Today, he advocates for the importance of local tourism in Uganda for the economic growth of the country, and was awarded with a regional Titan award for his efforts.
Hon. Jane Stewart, the Special Representative to the United Nations and Director of the International Labour Organization’s Office for the United Nations, provided the audience with the UN's unique perspective.
As we look at the resolution “Entrepreneurship for Development”, explained Ms. Stewart, there is a clear understanding of the power of entrepreneurship for sustainable development. Furthermore, the Outcome Document of the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals demonstrates the global acknowledgment that something needs to be done. Ms. Stewart stressed that through the development of the right policies, at the international and national levels, such as proper education and attracting investments, we can make sure entrepreneurship thrives throughout the world.
Ms. Stewart concluded by stating that "today's event showcased the power of entrepreneurship as a driving force for change and sustainable development. The inspiring stories we heard demonstrated its indisputable powers to create millions of decent jobs, empower women and youth and positively respond to environmental challenges and opportunities everywhere."
As the discussions on the new development agenda move forward, the call to put people at the centre of development policies is increasing. This require a greater focus on support for productive activities such as decent job creation, entrepreneurship, the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises.
The spirit of entrepreneurship can be more effectively promoted when governments invest in education and skills development as well as provide access to new technologies, innovative business models and finance while protecting workers’ rights.
One of the issues being discussed is entrepreneurship which – with its ability to turn creativity, energy and ideas into business opportunities – can contribute to sustainable development by creating jobs and driving economic growth and innovation, improving social conditions and contributing to addressing environmental challenges.
The recognition of entrepreneurship’s contribution to sustainable development, through job creation and innovation, is being taken up by the UN General Assembly’s Second Committee (which covers economic and financial issues) in a resolution entitled “Entrepreneurship for development”. To aid in this discussion, the Permanent Mission of Israel to the United Nations in partnership with the International Labour Organization’s Office for the United Nations and the Permanent Mission of Rwanda to the United Nations co-hosted a panel discussion on “The Power of Entrepreneurship”.
The event sent out a clear message about the global understanding of the power of entrepreneurship for sustainable development.
In his opening remarks, H.E. Mr. Ron Prosor, Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations and Mr. Olivier Nduhungirehe, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republic of Rwanda to the United Nations, both underlined the importance their countries attribute to entrepreneurship.
“Israelis understand the enormous gains that come from investing in entrepreneurs”, explained Ambassador Prosor. “The State of Israel was born just 66 years ago and to say that the odds were against us would be a real understatement. We had a tiny little land, even less water and no oil.” However, by investing in its citizens, Israel managed to turn the small nation into a global powerhouse – attracting the world’s largest and most successful technology companies.
Ambassador Prosor stressed that through entrepreneurship we can overcome the world’s most pressing challenges. “Today, Israeli innovations are helping quench the world’s thirst for water, they are curing once incurable diseases, and they are helping farmers grow more crops from every drop” stated Ambassador Prosor.
Ambassador Nduhungirehe noted that entrepreneurship is very important for Rwanda which has been guided by the objectives of ensuring “entrepreneurship is envisioned by the people and especially by youth as a legitimate career path”, the importance of fighting corruption and “promoting the empowerment of women.” He emphasized that “if our challenge is to promote decent work in order to eradicate poverty then entrepreneurship is a necessary key for our success.”
The panel discussion gathered experts and entrepreneurs from the United States, Israel and Uganda, who shared their expertise and inspiring stories, offering a multidimensional overview of the power of entrepreneurship. In her earlier experience of working with children with disabilities, Ms. Adi Altschuler, a social entrepreneur, founded a youth organization called "Krembo Wings" at age 16. This youth movement came about because of an earlier experience through which it became clear to her that “there is nothing wrong with people with disabilities”. The idea struck her that these children, who had highly developed social skills, “needed the assistance of others to engage in social activities” which many of these children were missing. Through her entrepreneurial skills she identified a need and matched it with a movement that enhanced these children’s lives.
Ms. Donna Kelley, an Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship at Babson College, presented the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM), the largest global research program on entrepreneurship, provided an overview of the current findings and trends on entrepreneurship at the international level. In discussing her research, she noted that developing economies are usually factor driven meaning “they mostly depend on natural resources and on consumption, and usually engage in entrepreneurships because they don’t have other options.”
When speaking to the question of how many jobs will be created due to the entrepreneurship activity, Ms. Kelley said her research showed a mixed picture. Some entrepreneurship activities, she stated do not create many jobs such as the case of a one-person business. However, entrepreneurs that are driven to grow and create many jobs depend on an environment conducive to innovation and risk-taking. It is these “entrepreneurs that can promote economic and social growth in a country.”
Another panelist, Amos Wekesa, had built the Great Lakes Safaris from nothing to one of the most successful tourism businesses in Uganda. Mr. Wekesa said that “after finishing school, I was looking for a job. I couldn’t find any decent job, and lived in poverty.” When a series of poorly paid jobs did not pan out, he decided to save money and to start working independently as a tour guide. As his business flourished and he became successful he felt that “something was missing”.
He said that it was only then he understood that “in order to be happy I needed to contribute to society, through the creation of jobs.” In conveying the importance of job creation to a workers’ family and communities in which people live he stated that in Africa “one job supports between 6-7 people.” Today, he advocates for the importance of local tourism in Uganda for the economic growth of the country, and was awarded with a regional Titan award for his efforts.
Hon. Jane Stewart, the Special Representative to the United Nations and Director of the International Labour Organization’s Office for the United Nations, provided the audience with the UN's unique perspective.
As we look at the resolution “Entrepreneurship for Development”, explained Ms. Stewart, there is a clear understanding of the power of entrepreneurship for sustainable development. Furthermore, the Outcome Document of the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals demonstrates the global acknowledgment that something needs to be done. Ms. Stewart stressed that through the development of the right policies, at the international and national levels, such as proper education and attracting investments, we can make sure entrepreneurship thrives throughout the world.
Ms. Stewart concluded by stating that "today's event showcased the power of entrepreneurship as a driving force for change and sustainable development. The inspiring stories we heard demonstrated its indisputable powers to create millions of decent jobs, empower women and youth and positively respond to environmental challenges and opportunities everywhere."
As the discussions on the new development agenda move forward, the call to put people at the centre of development policies is increasing. This require a greater focus on support for productive activities such as decent job creation, entrepreneurship, the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises.
The spirit of entrepreneurship can be more effectively promoted when governments invest in education and skills development as well as provide access to new technologies, innovative business models and finance while protecting workers’ rights.