“If the United Nations was fully funded why would we need the Arc or social enterprise?”
The Arc Initiative and other social enterprises are vital to not only the developing world, but to the people participating in fully developed countries as well. As was said in Class 20 Prep, the Arc Initiative received its name from the idea that business knowledge and ideas are flowing across an arc, from Sauder student/alumni to participant in the host community and back. Though full funding of the United Nations would allow for these underdeveloped nations to eventually become prosperous, it wouldn’t involve the same kind of personal interaction and relationship that is provided by the Arc Initiative. This genuine, personal learning experience is arguably the most important part of the Arc Initiative, as it allows for both the mentor and business owner in the host community to create a contact for life, and gives each a party a different view upon the business world and how it relates to the physical world.
It is no question that the United Nations helps underdeveloped nations, by providing funding, protection and opportunities for the country to become a part of the global economy. However, the United Nations would not be able to provide the personal element of mentorship that the Arc Initiative provides, regardless of the amount of funding it has. Because of this, social enterprise such as the Arc Initiative will always be important to the world, as providing wonderful learning opportunities for students who are looking to make a difference will never go out of style.