The Arc and social enterprise are extremely important as they focus on long-term development and internal growth of underprivileged countries. Unlike many other charity organizations, the Arc creates change in these countries that starts internally from business development that leads to overall social benefit. The knowledge brought to these countries by The Arc initiative will contribute to the long-term prosperity and self-sustainability of the countries. . Although the UN is necessary to help provide funding and political assistance to help stabilize and support underprivileged countries, it is extremely beneficial to have organizations like the Arc enterprise to address the micro problems. Even a fully funded United Nations would not have the ability to address all the small problems and issues that are contributing to the overall poverty of these countries.
Picture from Sauder School of Business on South Africa mission
The Arc Initiative is a program that interests me greatly. When I was researching universities to decide which one I should apply for, Sauder and the Arc Initiative was something that stood out and sparked an interest in me. Not only do I find it important for everyone in the world to have access to education, I also think it is a great experience for the Sauder students to be able to share their business knowledge and immerse themselves in a business setting with a foreign culture.
Sources:
http://skollworldforum.org/about/what-is-social-entrepreneurship/
http://www.sauder.ubc.ca/Global_Reach/ARC_Initiative
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/sb-growth/day-to-day/can-fair-trade-boutique-expand-without-alienating-customers/article4405520/
http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home.html