Financial Times

Social entrepreneurs changing the world
There are many players around the globe trying to change the world in many different ways. Even in Sri Lanka this phenomenon is seen amongst the leaders in politics, religion, international governance, law enforcement, crime and terror, academics, business, media and civil society.

The action strategies of these groups differ and affect the common citizen’s actions and thinking. There are some politicians who attempt to change their world of power and influence by promising common people fruits from trees, without even having the resources, knowledge and capability to prepare the ground and sow the seeds and maintain the trees. Some other politicians remain yet wedded to paths that were tried for many decades elsewhere in the world and have proven to be dismal failures. Unfortunately, both groups succeed in Sri Lanka despite the high level of literacy and the availability of modern day information and communications technology.

There are some religious leaders who in the name of religion, propagate communal and religious disharmony and interpret the teaching of the great philosophers inappropriately and within the narrowest of boundaries that provide them options to mislead their followers towards their own objectives.
The creative world of change management propounded and financially supported by the international community is often driven by their national, regional and strategic interests taking priority over the interests of the community.

The legal fraternity in robes and black coats has clearly demonstrated their powers of interpretation of the law that changes the world of many of the high and mighty in and out of power.

They legitimately earn the name of “turn coats”. The law enforcement officers change the worlds of those around them based on either the dictates of the high and mighty or the levels of satisfaction of personal needs facilitated by their network partners.

The leaders of terror and crime operate unabated by the law or law enforcement, aided by the guns, drugs, and the power of the underworld and patrons in power positions.

Some media bosses dictate what is to be reported and with what emphasis and slant and the journalists present primarily negative news. The poor communities have their worlds changed by all of the above. The majority of the teachers dedicate their time and commitment to tuition classes neglecting the children that should be their focus in school. Academics rattle off notes during lectures, the content of which sometimes originate even before they were born. The young grow up with some knowledge but lack the skills, disciplines and attitudes required to compete in the global world of demand for talent and competency. The actions of these persons certainly change the world around them.

Many leaders in business and chambers change or bend their voice, focus, core values and principles to accommodate their own personal expectations, needs of powerful members and to win favours from rulers.

As for civil society most simply watch on, whilst some like Dr. A. T. Ariyaratne and Dr. Deepak Chopra believe that the world around them can be changed by the collective concentrated positive energies created by the consciousness of many millions around the world engaged in meditation sending out positive vibrations for peace and prosperity. They believe that the world today experiences wars, natural and environmental hazards, health issues and poverty due to inequalities, wrongful use and disequilibrium in genes, environment, relationships, cause and effect and consciousness.
They believe that the consciousness can in a focused manner provide the answers to change the world for the good for all.

Whilst all of the above is clearly visible, a new breed of real leaders of society begin their tasks in silence, taking a step at a time, relentlessly pursuing their dream of changing the world of many unfortunate segments of society that lack economic, social and societal empowerment. Despite the lack of recognition and support of those who have the capacity to endow them with facilities and resources to operate more freely and effectively they pursue new ideas with great commitment and are labeled “ Social Entrepreneurs”.

David Bornstein in a book titled “How to Change the World” recognized some of the social entrepreneurs who through the power of new ideas have changed the world around them. The book has been recognized by Nelson Mandela “to inspire and encourage many people who seek to build a better world”. The New York Times refers to the book “as a must reading for any one who cares about building a more equitable and therefore more stable world”. In his foreword Narayana Murthy described it as a handbook for anyone who has the determination and the vision to make a difference and hoped that young people will consider a future career as a social entrepreneur.
“How to Change the World” is compulsory reading material for all present and budding leaders of Sri Lanka.

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