The Conveners (Part 1)
Who said, “Surround yourself with problem solvers, not problem creators?” I read this somewhere, and it has guided me ever since. Natural problem solvers include entrepreneurs in the modern world who see opportunity when most see impossibility. Entrepreneurs who talk about social change, like poverty reduction and disaster mitigation, are social entrepreneurs. They are among the world’s best conveners.
Conveners have a natural knack for inviting like-minded people to talk, delve into problems, search for solutions, and develop a joint project to address that problem. Conveners are collaborators in the most positive sense of the word. They are a powerful influence on the success or failure of a collaborative project to solve specific problems. They are effective organizers, administrators, facilitators, fund/resource generators, network builders, peacemakers, problem solvers, and spokespersons. They are extraordinary people who can mobilize and organize even around complex issues such as poverty and disaster reduction. When they get together, what powerful force they can be.
Convening is a kind of conflict intervention in a world with conflicts and inconsistencies. Conveners exude optimism and hope that every problem has a solution. That is why when they meet, they talk about solutions and projects. They see commonalities of solutions through collaboration rather than competition for peace of mind and the planet.
Last August 28, the presidents and top executives of five higher educational institutions (HEIs) and a non-government organization (NGO) in Bicol gathered in a meeting at the International Culinary Training Center (ICTC) at the Canaman Camarines Sur campus of the Mariners Polytechnic Colleges Foundation (MPCF). They agreed to convene a Regional Social Enterprises Summit on October 25 Friday and a half day on 26 at the Atrium of the Central Bicol State University in Agriculture (CBSUA) in cooperation with the Philippine Information Authority (PIA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Social Work and Development (DSWD), Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), the Department of Agriculture (DA), Commission on Higher Education (CHEd), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Camarines Sur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CSCCII) and the Metro Naga Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MNCCII).
With the support of the Office of Planning, Research, and Knowledge Management (OPRKM) of the CHEd Central office, the Mariners Social Enterprises Development (SED) project has spurred interest in the Summit for Social Enterprises - emerging, developing, and established ones- as its culminating activity to close its two-year project among disaster survivors in Camarines Sur and Albay in Bicol. Mariners, TBM, and CBSUA invited Bicol University, Bicol State College of Applied Sciences and Technology, and Naga College Foundation, with shared interests and common ties, to join. Seven years of TBM’s community disaster and development response with their organized grassroots organizations began the journey towards problem-solving projects and activities that have significantly impacted people’s lives.
The MPCF, CBSUA, BU, BISCAST, NCF, and TBM will jointly convene the 1st Regional Social Enterprises Summit (RSES) on October 25-26 at the Atrium, CBSUA, Pili Camarines Sur. This event, which will see the participation of 350 individuals from diverse backgrounds, including farmers, women, youth, academics, business leaders, and faith-based entrepreneurs, is a crucial platform for all to come together and focus on sustainable social enterprises under the theme, “Sustainable Social Enterprises as a Strategy for Poverty Reduction toward Economic Resilience,” will significantly impact our communities and the world at large.
CBSUA, education for sustainable development
One of the lead conveners of the RSES is the CBSUA which has four campuses in Camarines Sur. The President, Dr. Albert Naperi, believes that by collaborating with the other Summit conveners, as part of its extension work, “we fill each other’s shoes,” we gain faster development through technological innovation, improved outcomes, and knowledge exchange, among others. CBSUA is one of the top four performing SUCs with the highest number of Level III accredited programs in 2020 and prides itself on top-notch learning in agriculture. It commemorated its 15th Charter Anniversary with significant milestones, including World University Ranking in Innovation, Recognition for Proficiency in Quality Management in 2024 and Internationalization Champions of Nation-Building and Sustainability (ICONS) Awards 2023. CBSUA is a signifucant mover for sustainable social enterprises.
NCF, education excellence
“At my age, my thoughts are now toward (serving) humility,” the enterprising septuagenarian President of the Naga College Foundation, Mario C. Villanueva, said with a smile. A businessman for much of his life, he is also the President of the Metro Naga Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The erstwhile traditional private family-led college for education that he leads today has grown exponentially. At the rate it is growing, it means, he said, there is still so much to do in this life, especially for the community. He is proud to be part of the collaboration for the Regional Summit because “we reach our goals faster.” Collaboration allows for the sharing of knowledge, skills, and resources. He believes that agriculture is a primary area for collaborative development to break the chain of subservience from outside forces. “We should rise, “as we live in a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) world.
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