On February 10, 2015, Anderson University’s AEI Executive Council hosted an event that considered the roles of social entrepreneurship, capitalism, and free enterprise in poverty alleviation.
Almost 150 students and 10 faculty and staff watched a portion of the Acton Institute’s PovertyCure series—which makes the argument that private enterprise, not aid, is the best, long term solution to poverty. During the discussion that followed the video, one student noted that she would no longer approach missions and charity the same as she used to. Another student commented that she had learned about the IMF and World Bank in her global business class, but she didn’t realized how these institutions have exacerbated the problem of poverty in some ways.
After the formal session, about 15 students stayed to talk to Peter Greer of HOPE International via Skype. From his vast experience with international development and microfinance work, Greer shared further insights about how we can be most effective in our efforts at poverty alleviation. Many of the students who stayed for this discussion were passionate about missions work and alleviating poverty, and left inspired not only to do something, but to do something with real, long-lasting impact.
Andrew Newlin, an AEI Executive Council member and Anderson University student, contributed to this post.
This article was originally published at valuesandcapitalism.com