Recap Panel Discussion 2 The ASEAN Impact Ecosystem Builders

On last July 13, the Unconference on Impact Entrepreneurship welcomed three exceptional individuals in fostering impacts and driving positive changes: Renuka Sena, Tasnim Abdul Hadil and Yuho Myoda to the second panel discussion at Fulbright University Vietnam. With their notable backgrounds and experiences in establishing social impacts, they raised a lively discussion among participants about how to build an impact ecosystem, particularly in Southeast Asia, from impact investment to sustainable operational processes.

 

 

Renuka Sena (Proficeo Consultants Sdn Bhd):
Renuka Sena is the Founder of Proficeo which is an entrepreneurship ecosystem builder in Malaysia. She emphasized the importance of creating and maintaining strong connections between stakeholders in the ecosystem to ensure that all parties understand and empatise with each other’s circumstances. She also pointed out that Social Enterprises need to focus on improving operational processes and revenue generation to sustain the organization after attracting funding in order to sustain themselves in the long term. She highlighted the power to impact ecosystems in changing the community by giving the example of how helping a mother to grow her micro-business can not only positively impact her family’s economic status but can provide a multiplier effect on an entire village by involving the community in business activities that support just one micro-business.

Tasnim Abdul Hadi (Lien Centre for Social Innovation):
Tasnim is a program manager at Lien Centre for Social Innovation which catalyzes social change in Singapore and beyond. Tasnim pointed out that when it comes to impact establishment, the key is to shift the mindset of people. Food security is an example. In order to bring more attention to local farmers, we need to educate consumers on the more secure and more sustainable benefits of investing in the local supply chain.

Yuho Myoda (Asian Development Bank (ADB)):
Yuho is the economist at Asian Development Bank, who aims to contribute to impactful initiatives as a Japanese government's representative, called attention to how to reach out to a community in need as we initially do not know whether our help is welcomed. The most sustainable approach, in his opinion, is education and clear communication of why and how we help.

After the sharing session, the attendees engaged in the conversation through questions for the panelists. The questions and answers provided insights into several difficulties that impact-makers face in various fields such as helping the impoverished communities and ensuring food security.

 

 

The panel discussion brought inspiration and encouragement to the fellows to continue being impact-makers in their community. By sustainably designing and maintaining a strong connection We, together, can bring along positive changes to our ASEAN.