IMAGINE YOUNG PEOPLE FROM AROUND THE WORLD WORKING TOGETHER WITH VILLAGERS TO JOINTLY IMPROVE THEIR COMMUNITY. THE SEED PROGRAM IS AN INNOVATIVE LEARNING APPROACH WHICH FOSTERS SOCIAL SENSITIVITY ENTREPRENEURIAL THINKING IN A CROSS-CULTURAL SETTING. STUDENTS AND VILLAGERS FIND IN A JOINT EFFORT SUSTAINABLE SOLUTION FOR EONOMIC GROWTH AND SOCIAL CHANGE.
The School of Business and Management at Institut Teknologi Bandung (SBM – ITB), Indonesia and the Asia Research Centre (ARC) at the Chair for International Management (Southeast Asia), University of St. Gallen (HSG), Switzerland co-organize the SEED programs. They build on a long-term collaboration of the Institut Teknologi Bandung (SBM –ITB) with the village of Cisondari, Indonesia. The SEED programs offer students a real-life experience to grow their ability to make a difference and foster social change. It is a cross-cultural entrepreneurial learning program designed to develop village communities in rural areas. In the two weeks program students from around the world meet in Cisondari village, Indonesia. They live together in the village context. They analyze the potentials for economic development and social change, develop ideas, and holistically evaluate them together with the villagers.
In business plans the students summarize their findings and evaluate the financial and environmental sustainability of the entrepreneurial ideas. Presenting to financing organizations the potential they strive to gain start-up capital.
So far, SEED has been successfully conducted in December 2007 and July 2008. The next SEED program takes place in November 2008, followed by regular programs every half a year.
Further, they strive to transfer the idea of SEED programs to other regions of the world. Participant’s statements demonstrate many learning points in the during the SEED program: “I have learnt about different perspectives on seeing a situation; there is the need to listen carefully”; “I have learnt how to interact with people form different cultural backgrounds and inspire each other thinking”; “I learnt that we are capable of doing something great”.
They are welcoming participants from around the world. If you are interested in this program, please do not hesitate to contact them. They do appreciate your participation, support, and welcome ideas for transferring SEED to further regions in the world in need of economic and social development.
