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Yunus Thailand participated in the discussions on Social Business and sustainability at the المؤتمر العالمي الثاني لحفظ النعم Grace Preservation Second Global Conference in Abu Dhabi

Inspiring discussions on Social Business and sustainability at the المؤتمر العالمي الثاني لحفظ النعم Grace Preservation Second Global Conference in Abu Dhabi

From November 26-28, Callum Mackenzie, Co-founder & Managing Director of Yunus Thailand, joined Dr. Faiz H. Shah, Yunus Thailand Chair of the Board of Directors and Executive Director of Yunus Center AIT (YCA), and Alex Wang 王则开, Secretary General of the Global Committee on Social Business for SDGs, in a thought-provoking panel discussion on sustainable development best practices from Asia.

The panel, featuring representatives from academia, NGOs, and social enterprises, explored Social Business as an innovative approach to conserving resources, optimising the benefits and impacts. The dialogue connected the UAE’s Grace Preservation philosophy with cultural values in China, Malaysia, and Thailand, particularly highlighting Thailand’s Sufficiency Economy Philosophy. These comparisons were useful in underscoring similarities that motivate people across diverse value systems to “Preserve Grace” in their own unique way.

Key takeaways:

  • 💡 Social Business unlocks individual potential for collective action in upholding social values and protecting the environment.
  • 💡 While philanthropy is vital enterprise-led development fosters self-sufficiency and resilience among vulnerable populations.
  • 💡 Examples like the Portable Health Clinic Seaweed Social Business and learning exchanges in energy water food health and microcredit showcased the power of targeted initiatives - especially for women.

The audience resonated strongly with these examples and the emphasis on practical and scalable solutions. Looking forward, the panel expressed keen interest in fostering knowledge-sharing between the UAE and Southeast Asia through executive exchanges, student visits, and joint programming.

Together, let’s create lasting impact through social business development. 🌍

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