Social Entrepreneurship Pioneered by Gen Y at St Mark's
Social innovation is the new trend. Obama has set up the Social Innovation Fund. Blair pioneered the Social Exclusion Unit. Rudd introduced the Social Inclusion Board. The Productivity Commission on not for profit organisations as recently as February this year, dedicated a chapter to social innovation.
Social enterprise is another social innovation that is a new way of taking a business approach to social issues and provide social purpose - our own St Mark's College Club Charitable Foundation is an example.
The St Mark's College Club Charitable Foundation was established at the first Ordinary General Meeting of the College Club in March. It was energising to see Gen Y students at St Mark's focus on looking outward rather than focusing inward; a theme which we have embraced this year. These students are multi-talented, creative and energetic and are committed to turning their talents and ideas to good community outcomes for the common good.
As a student at St Mark's in the 80s with a Master committed to social justice, followed by a 10 year career in the social welfare social justice sector, this new commitment to social entrepreneurship and innovation is inspiring and revitalising and aligned with the values of the College as articulated on our web site.
From time to time, Gen Y gets a bad rap. However they are increasingly known for their open-mindedness, tolerance of diversity, social and environmental consciousness and strong sense of social justice. The establishment of the Charitable Foundation is a practical example of this, and provides yet another opportunity for students at St Mark's to develop leadership skills and involve themselves in volunteer activities both Mark's and in the wider College community - again critical given that this generation spend less time on university campus and engaged in part-time employment than any other generation.
The Internet and internationalisation of education and society is providing our Gen Y students with a global perspective, and as a result they tend to embrace and be tolerant of diversity. While perceived often, as arrogant, uncommitted and self gratifying, they are often more optimistic, entrepreneurial and enterprising than their parents. They value wisdom and truth over authority. They are confident, sociable and lifestyle driven. They use facebook and twitter to share information and to organise. Our students are used to instant gratification, diversity, freedom and opportunity and they have a desire for flexibility. The Gen Ys at St Mark's seek authenticity in everything. They may be the Y generation but they are the why generation - they value understanding why we do things the way we do. Consistency is critical - it is because they are the connected generation; email, mobile phones, facebook, twitter - they use any and every opportunity to build connections and create a sense of belonging. This is why and how they will be successful and enterprising in their commitment to social justice. I congratulate them on their initiative, dedication and hard work.
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