The key purposes of the United Nations are the maintenance of peace, the protection of basic human rights and achievement of international co-operation. Due to the size of the UN, it deals with large-scale troubles such as threats to world peace or natural catastrophes.
Social, economic and environmental problems on a smaller scale do not reach the UN due to their relatively low degree of importance. Therefore more approachable organizations are necessary such as the Arc. A skill exchanging program, where UBC students, Sauder School of Business alumni and faculty are given the opportunity to travel to either South America or Africa to share their entrepreneurial knowledge with those in need. Therefore creating solutions and sustainability on a smaller scale.
In addition, the UN is a major organization, where the potential attainment of power is so great that it may become driven by self-interest. Social enterprise defeats this threat as by definition its purpose serves the common good.
To conclude, I personally believe that personal engagement on any scale can make a change, as the results are cumulative. Therefore I like to emphasize the importance of social enterprise and smaller-scale Initiatives.
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