How Can We Build A SE Ecosystem to Support the Agenda of A Developed State
Present during the second discussion held by AM Rainforum, Social Entrepreneurship: How Can We Build A SE Ecosystem to Support the Agenda of A Developed State were panelists, Datu Dr Sabariah Binti Putit, Deputy State Secretary at the Sarawak State Government, Rosihan Juara Baharuddin, Co-Founder of NeOOne Associates and Juvita Tan Wan, Co-Founder of The Tuyang Initiative along with moderator, Kamarul Bahrin Haron, and a special appearance by Arabyrd.
In the second discussion held by AM Rainforum, Social Entrepreneurship: How Can We Build A SE Ecosystem to Support the Agenda of A Developed State, Deputy State Secretary of the Sarawak State Government, Datu Dr Sabariah Binti Putit said more social entrepreneurs are needed to rebrand, reshape and connect Malaysians in order to create an ecosystem that can support the State.
“SEs can serve as mentors and help to bridge passionate people in the state to come together to be part of different industries, particularly the creative segment,” she said, referring to the need for more talent to develop industries in Sarawak.
The state government, she said, has been playing their part in providing the necessary connectivity access despite the geographical challenges to help build the ecosystem.
Panelist, Rosihan Juara Baharuddin, Co-Founder of NeOOne Associates, agrees with Sabariah and highlights that talent along with good content is integral to build an ecosystem. “As governing becomes expansive, and complex, SE plays a very important role to bring initiatives from the State to the grassroots level. SEs can help to better translate these efforts into operational directives,” he said.
“The government can’t do this alone so it’s important to bring in SEs to bridge the gap. If I were to look at the ecosystem, even with great infrastructure and policy, talent development is still a crucial part to drive progress forward,” he added.
Fellow panelist, Juvita Tatan Wan, Co-Founder of The Tuyang Initiative said, “We are not lacking people with passion and the drive, but the concept of SEs is generally foreign to them. What’s missing is the advocacy of social enterprise and to begin with, we can start educating people from classrooms.”
She further added that by multiplying the conversation on helping others, then the discussions can become more widespread across the State.
Juvita who co-founded social enterprise, The Tuyang Initiative is looking to empower cultural aspects of Sarawak to help talents in the state to make a livelihood through their heritage. She believes that while urban settlers have the privilege to be digitally connected, there is more need for rural residents.
However, she praised efforts by the State by giving access to innovation hubs to rural residents during these difficult times.
“In terms of talent, I think you have to look at different segments and make sure we can create value of the products they are working on. It’s all about value creation and we need more creative talents,” Sabariah urged.
Sabariah also shared that the State along with several agencies including the SEDC is working towards getting local talents in the state to be upskilled and has urged SEs in the state to serve as mentors.
She also hoped for state authorities to work alongside their counterparts in the federal government to collaborate and work on the State’s socioeconomic progress to further help local talents.