Diary of #Wecan international boot camp of IEFERS (part 2)

09:40 - 09/02/2022

Hello everyone, we are Van Khang, Minh Nguyet and Ai Nhan. We represented for International Economics Faculty - Banking University of Ho Chi Minh City to attend #WeCAN International Boot Camp and Research Colloquium on Social Entrepreneurship and Social Innovations

This boot camp was held in Philippines by De La Salle University from September 9^th to September 18^th, 2019. It brought together over 100+ local and international delegates composed of faculty members, students, and advocates from 22 academic institutions in ASEAN+3 (Korea, Japan, and China). The program also aimed to create a network of universities that will promote social innovations and social entrepreneurship in the region.

Now we will tell you about our 11 memorable days of the camp!

[DAY 5 - 12/09/2019] INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH COLLOQUIUM

The research colloquium started with the sharing of Dr. Raymond Girard Tan - Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovations - De La Salle University and the introduction about SDGs of Ms. Maria – Team Leader from United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The next section was the presentation of two studies: "Magtanim ay di Biro: The entrepreneurship ecosystem of agricultural social enterprises" and "Bote central: Aiming for an “inclusive" coffee supply chain in the Philippines”. Through these well-conducted researches, we gained more information and data, such as startups in the field of ecology or coffee in Philippines.

In the afternoon, there were four workshops with four different topics that we can choose to participate in, including: “Inclusive Growth”, “Environmental Sustainability”, “Inclusive Education” and “Universal Healthcare”. The opportunity of discussing with many researchers, students and lecturers from many universities helped us learn more experience in scientific research.

The presentation about SDGs of Ms Maria

Workshop of Environmental Sustainability

[DAY 6 - 13/09/2019] EXCITING STUDY TRIP

After 5 days of studying in De La Salle University, we had a study trip to some social enterprises in Manila. It is interesting to observe the performance of social enterprises and to meet and converse with their founders and employees.

First, we visited the Benilde Hub of Innovation for Inclusion (HiFi). HiFi incubates creative ideas and projects that are people-focused, planet-sustaining, profit-generating, and purpose-driven. It is an open community for all who wish to create and scale social impact.

Next, we had the opportunity to visit Messy Bessy. Messy Bessy is a manufacturer and wholesaler of natural, biodegradable, non-toxic home and personal care products. The most special thing is that these products are made by Filipino at-risk (formerly abused, trafficked, incarcerated impoverished) youths that receive skills, education and mentorship to help their rehabilitation into society.

The last destination is Citihub - a social enterprise that aims to reduce the cost of living for low-income workers by providing safe, clean and affordable housing at key areas in Metro Manila. Its construction is said to be sustainable and eco-friendly because its dormitories primarily were built with recycled shipping containers.

The Benilde Hub of Innovation for Inclusion (HiFi)

Messy Bessy

[DAY 07 - 14/09/2019] TEAM BUILDING IN LAGUNA

Our journey continued with a trip to Laguna – a province which is about 2 hours from Manila. There is no better way to learn than to experience and explore firsthand. And team building is an indispensable activity to connect members as well as train skills. This activity took place in the Laguna campus of De La Salle University. The program is organized by TOSP (Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines) - a community of young people working together for the nation's development. We were divided into 6 teams to play games together, after each game, the TOSP members helped us draw experience lessons which are valuable for social entrepreneurship.

What a long but wonderful day in Laguna. Thanks TOSP. Thanks WeCAN.

Team building with various activities

WeCAN family and TOSP members

[DAY 08 - 15/09/2019] COMMUNITY VISIT IN LAGUNA

Today is the eighth day we stayed in Philippines, but it is the second and the last day in Laguna. In the early morning, we travelled to Biñan, a 1st class city in the province of Laguna. After visiting the Biñan Center for Culture and Arts, we moved to a plant producing eco-bricks. Made from a mixture of cement and shredded plastic laminates, ecobricks are a sustainable way to prevent non-biodegradable plastic waste from disrupting the ecosystem.

Continuing the journey, we visited the village of Gawad Kalinga Toyota. This village was built by Toyota company, to help poor people to have better living conditions. Talking to residents in this village, we understand about their daily life. Especiallly, songs performed by children touched us. In spite of poverty and hunger, they always smile. Thanks to them, we learnt that we have to be optimistic in all situations and we hope to do something to help them escape poverty and danger and get access to good education.