Seforum2007albert

Social Enterprises in the City Setting: A Study of Taipei, Hong Kong and Singapore (2006) An initiative of the CAFO network researched by Terence Yuen, Centre for Civil Society and Governance, University of Hong Kong Josephine Lee, St James’ Settlement, Hong Kong Huang Ping-Der, College of Commerce, National Chengchi University, Taiwan Albert Teo, NUS Business School, National University of Singapore Tan Ngoh Tiong, formerly, Department of Social Work and Psychology, National University of Singapore Gillian Koh, Institute of Policy Studies, Singapore

Social Enterprises in Taipei • Sunshine Social Welfare Foundation – Runs a car grooming center – Runs a gas station – Runs a snack bar in an MRT station – Employs burns victims & people with disabilities

Social Enterprises in Taipei • Cultural and Educational Foundation for the Blind – Runs a chain of health massage centers – Employs masseurs who are blind

Social Enterprises in Hong Kong • MentalCare Connect – Runs convenience stores – Runs outlets selling rehabilitation products – Provides cleaning services – Employs people with mental disabilities

Social Enterprises in Hong Kong • Senior Citizen Home Safety Association – Set up by radio talk show host & social work professor – Provides a personal emergency link service, connecting elderly people with various emergency assistance providers

Social Enterprises in Singapore • Teen Challenge Enterprises – Provides house & office removal service – Runs a kopitiam – Provides multi-media, video & DVD services – Employs ex-offenders, recovering substance abusers & young offenders

Social Enterprises in Singapore • The Young Entrepreneur Mastery – Provides out-of-school youths with opportunities to work as assistants to real estate agents – Partners a real estate company, whose agents mentor & train the youths

Challenges Faced by Social Enterprises in Singapore • Managers & professionals who can meet both financial & social bottom lines • Constraints faced by some marginalized groups • Prejudice & discrimination against some marginalized groups

Social Enterprises in Singapore: Moving Forward • More public education • Breaking down stigmas • Partnerships between corporate sector & social enterprise sector