http://news.ubc.ca/2014/06/30/upward-arc/

http://www.sauder.ubc.ca/Global_Reach/ARC_Initiative

http://b.vimeocdn.com/ps/365/442/3654422_300.jpg

http://i.ytimg.com/vi/354LEeAuYFA/0.jpg

I believe that initiatives such as the Arc can be best summarized by the proverb: “Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day; teach him to fish and he will eat for a lifetime.” Keeping this in mind, it is imperative to acknowledge that social enterprises differ greatly from many of the social causes of the United Nations. Where
many social ventures do not address the underlying factors of an issue, the Arc provides tools that enable entrepreneurs in developing countries to achieve sustainable growth in the hopes of creating a positive ripple effect in the area. In this regard, I believe that the Arc Initiative arguably supersedes many of the charitable efforts of the United Nations, creating a necessity for it even if the UN was fully funded.

The legacy that Arc has left behind in various communities is a testament to Jeff Kroeker’s goal of “building capacity, building relationships and ultimately, building a better future.” Having just learnt about the Arc and the lasting impacts that it has on communities in Africa and South America has opened my eyes to the array of opportunities available at Sauder. Programs such as this are key components of the global commerce community. I would like to get involved with a social enterprise one day; hopefully using my knowledge to contribute to the business communities in developing nations, while at the same time gaining valuable lessons from the experience.