Title: Change Making – How to!

Speaker: Mr. Fazal Noor, Country Representative of ASHOKA

Venue: NGO Resource Centre
D – 114, Block 5, Clifton, Karachi – Tel 5865501-2
Friday – January 25, 2008
5:00 to 6:30 pm

Social entrepreneurs are those people who not only make service as their business, but they have practically made changes in lives of common people, said Fazal Noor, Country Representative of ASHOKA at Development Forum of NGORC on January 25, 2007.

The topic of his talk was: “Change Making – How to!.” Mr. Noor said everyone can be a change maker but all are not. “Most of us know there are problems, but we just pass by, where as many of us are creative, but have other interests. Some are also committed and they are active citizens.”

The social entrepreneurship means innovation for the public benefit, he said. For social entrepreneurship, he suggested four strategies-- introduce new service, organize the beneficiary groups and create a support institution and change the routine people go through.

He said many active social entrepreneurs have started their work through innovative ideas like providing geriatric care to senior citizens. Some social entrepreneurs organize the beneficiary groups like Khajji (dates) growers of Khairpur district. Now a cooperative society of date growers is effectively working for the benefit of its thousands of beneficiaries. Other social entrepreneurs create a support institution like technical training and resource centers, where people get trainings and information.

Similarly, some innovative people have made social changes through change in the routine people go through. For example, an activist has introduced teaching English language at Madressahs (religious schools) by making slight change in the curriculum.

He made it clear that the change makers do not use any one method but use a combination of these methods to be successful.
Mr. Noor also introduced Ashoka organization and its activities. He said Ashoka is the global association of the world’s leading social entrepreneurs. It is working since 1981 and now it is spread over in more than 60 countries.
Participants of the Forum, mostly belong to civil society organizations of Karachi also took part discussed on the topic. Many activists also shared their experiences in the social development field.

Anis Danish, Information & Outreach Officer of NGORC welcome the guest speaker and conducted the Forum.