Students Ms. Dola Biswas, Ms. Bebila Singh and Mr. Raihan Sharif of
‘Team Synergy’ tried to convince the panel that their sustainable
trading platform for agricultural products in Bangladesh could offer
hope to the country’s poor farmers.
Representing 'Team Aurora', Mr. Krishna Ram Yendyo, Miss. Nirupa
Bhusal, and Mr. Supun Gayantha Dissanayaka explained their social
business model to provide affordable and reliable rain-fed water
systems to impoverished urban dwellers in Kathmandu, Nepal.
A trio of Thai students from 'Team Globish Academia' won the
competition with their plan to offer English language instruction to
physically challenged people via Skype. The team earned the opportunity
to have their social business plan represented at the global contest
final in Mexico City in November this year.
Launched by 2006 Nobel Peace Prize Winner Prof. Muhammad Yunus, the YY
Contest is a global social business plan competition that encourages
innovation and creates synergy among participants of different
cultures, ideas, beliefs and social realities in solving particular
social problems through viable social business solutions. According to
the organizers, the YY Contest attracts young leaders who are proactive
and view social business as a way to eradicate poverty.
Mr. Mechai Viravaidya, the well-known founder of The Population and
Community Development Association (PDA), delivered a keynote address on
aspects of his model of business for social progress in Thailand. Dr.
Faiz Shah, Director of Yunus Center AIT, and Dr. Jonathan Shaw,
Director of AIT Extension, welcomed Mr. Mechai to the event staged at
the former Thai Senator’s social enterprise model restaurant Cabbages
and Condoms in downtown Bangkok.
Judges included Dr. Cholvit Jearajit, Dean of Faculty of Social
Sciences, Srinakharinwirot University, Ms. Preekamol Chantaranijakorn,
founder of Ma:D Hub for Social Entrepreneurs, Dr. Poonchai
Chitanuntavitaya, Founder and Chief Medical Officer of Social Health
Enterprise, Mr.Nattakrit Wu, IMBA committee and Lecturer,
Thammasat University and Dr. Shah.
The event also featured a talk by five student members of MyVision
AIT, which is a new student-run campus club aligned to the vision of
social entrepreneurship and progressive, sustainable development.
Team Synergy members.