On the afternoon of December 10, 2021, MSD Vietnam Institute, United Way Worldwide and Startup Vietnam Foundation organized a workshop “Applied technology for initiatives to bridge the gap and promote sustainable socio-economic development and poverty reduction”. The event was part of the Seminar Series “Open Innovation – 2022 Challenge & Technology Shaping the Future”. The event was within the framework of the TechFest 2021 National Innovation Day, implemented with the support of Shinhan Square Bridge Vietnam program.
The event took place on the Airmeet platform – the official platform for activities within the Contest – with debates and talks as follows:
– Presentation on Human-centric innovation.
– Conference on Applied technology for initiatives to bridge the gap and promote sustainable socio-economic development and poverty reduction.
– Seminar on Investing in social enterprises: Challenges and opportunities.
Session 1: Conference on Applied technology for initiatives to bridge the gap and promote sustainable socio-economic development and poverty reduction
Mr. Bryan Carroll stated: “In the process of sustainable and inclusive development, it is very difficult to succeed if we just stand outside and chant slogans. For these slogans to succeed, we must sit together, have common agenda and in particular we must work together, cooperate with social enterprises. It is important that we work together to grow together…. “
Ms. Nguyen Nhu Quynh stated: “We want to support eco-enterprise systems to cope with the current COVID-19 situation. We have created a network of businesses to connect and cooperate with each other. We hope to cooperate with you in the conference session as well as those who participated in the online seminar today to accompany each other in creating this ecosystem…”
Ms. Vuong Huu Thuy Giang stated: “During the time of COVID, for BCA, this is a great opportunity. BCA is a big platform and the users are not tech-savvy, so BCA must provide and cultivate knowledge for users. For the two large targets of BCA, both approaches are very strange and new…”
Ms. Du Thi Mai Linh stated: “Let’s create an ecosystem to connect, cooperate and develop together. If the community develops, the individual startup in the community will develop and create a society promoting further development…”
Ms. Nguyen Huyen My stated: “No startups can be strong in many aspects, so we need to connect with each other, attach a lot to organizations and ecosystems to join hands to explore the market…”
Session 2: Seminar on Investing in social enterprises: Challenges and opportunities.
Mr. Bobby Liu stated: “With every activity we are doing, we have to be responsible with ourselves and the community. Social impact is also part of our goal. No matter how much money we invest in such a business, the impact of a business is not too significant, it will only be a very small change, but if we just do it step by step, each such small impact will gradually make a big impact…”
Ms. Nguyen Dang Tuan Minh stated: “If you are strong in technology, let’s think by solving problems by: what you like – whar you are good at – what the market is willing to solve. Once you do the technology, you have already mastered the tools. You should build 2 groups of business models and interact with each other to have better orientations and long-term business…”
Ms. Hooyung M. Young stated: “Currently, I find that the group focusing on investing in environment receives a lot of investment while the group focusing on society has not received much attention. Investing in people can create social impact. Our fund supports investment in human capital enhancement. Also we also connect with young clients with new perspectives, they focus on circular economy, generating revenue potential that attracts investment…”
Ms. Nguyen Phuong Linh stated: “Currently, with the trend of sustainable development goals, solving all challenges is not the task of each government but also the responsibility of each enterprise and each individual. In the context of the COVID pandemic, solving social problems is the concern of the whole community that we care about…”