HCAP Day 2

Again, the day starts by an insightful lecture delivered from Mr Matthew Lee. Today the topic is on constructing theory of change. As I've mentioned that the SE concept in States focus more on the social impact, it's not surprising to me that they're willing to spend time on constructing the theory of change, believing that it'll be the key to empower individuals.

The talk teaches me how the organization's activities leads to intended impact, grounded in a set of beliefs about how world works with limited resource most efficiently allocated. The intended impact, often specific, aspirational and measurable, in my opinion, is the most important guideline for the planning stage of a SE. Having derived intended impact from mission and vision statement, the organization will be driven to achieve the social mission they have in mind. I think it is very crucial for an organization to be very clear about its motive.

Then there’s the panel discussion from Grad school of government. The students shared their projects, although most of them are still mainly surviving on donors, (which in my old definitions I won’t even categorize them into SEs, but i’m starting to accept the importance of social innovation gradually), their stories are truly inspirational as well. I think the best part about these projects is that, the initiators start with a clear motive and that’s really the core of the project and keep them driven and motivated of accomplishing the mission. The strong institutional culture is guided by the clear mission, and with a heart of believing in what they do, that’s the secret recipe of having a strong team :)

Then we were introduced about the Charter School policy and the Pitch competition project. I don’t quite agree on the idea of Charter School being SE, thus find it hard to relate the project to the topic of the conference. But it was fun to talk to the delegates from different cultural and educational system backgrounds.

THE HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL is really magnificent, great campus and passionate minds.