AACOSE Day 2

Written by Michelle Negesa Otiato

The second day of the last day of the meeting held on 26th of November in Tangaza University. On this day not many issues were discussed because many of the attendants were exhausted from the previous day hence it did not take the longest time. It started by a short recap on the previous meeting which functioned as an update to those who were not there. The topics mostly focused on the formation of AACOSE, its achievements and its history. Where AACOSE was said to have been working in the field of social entrepreneurship for about 40 years now and was hosted by Tangaza University College's Institute of Social Transformation (IST) and Ashoka East Africa. Where the IST convened provides competence-based training to aspiring and established social entrepreneurs, enabling them to impact and transform people's lives, whereas Ashoka is widely credited with inventing the fields of social entrepreneurship and the concept of change-making.

There was a topic about SEP which was said to be a beneficial factor to the economy of countries such as Nigeria and failed in countries such as Zimbabwe. SEP was said to have caused many firms to be closed, businesses to be deteriorated and loss of power of politicians. This organization was formed in the earlier years and because of its failure, most African countries decided to drop it and focus on other options in promotion social entrepreneurship. There were also principles made which were necessary for growth in social entrepreneurship across African countries to a better economy which were:

1. Making information accessible to create a sense of belonging.

2. The creation of disruptive innovation

3. Creation of right incentives and business modules

4. Robust space for change

5. Creation of business innovation

6. And shifting of cultures

Countries that use these principles are said to prosper tremendously in the entrepreneurial sector hence gaining fame from other countries wanting to have business ties with them. It is also called a systematic change. They are also the system change that social entrepreneurs are focused on changing broken systems and inefficient policies that lead to the manifestation of entrepreneurial problems.

They also talked about good public relations which is key to improve the organizations reputation and give you more control over what others say about you. It could also help to build positive relationships with key stakeholders and promote your events and activities in an organization. A consistent public relations strategy will make people care about what you do and position you as a complementary necessity to the state and private sector as a social entrepreneur who solves social problems and contributes to social transformation. Building resilience was also emphasised for a purposeful Africa. In the education sector, MBA teaching institutes are told to empower students on working on their skills which will create a positive impact in the growth and stability of the economy.

The meeting was helpful in answering many questions about growing social entrepreneurs in different countries in Africa for they did not discuss problems but also produced solutions to their problems. And if organizations take into serious considerations of the points discussed in the two meetings, they would create a great change in their businesses and growth too.