Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), Union of Science and Technology Associations (VUSTA), United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Center for Social Initiatives Promotion (CSIP) hosted the press conference to announce “Blue Swallow 2019 – Drive social business initiatives for sustainable development.” The event attracted the participation of representatives of the government agencies, national and international non-governmental organizations, businesses - especially social enterprises, and press agencies.
Launched on July 24th 2019, “Blue Swallow 2019” will be accompanied with sharing and searching activities that help select outstanding initiatives from from all over the country. The honoring event will be held in the end of October 2019 with the seminar and Gala night celebrating typical initiatives and individuals of 2019.
Photo: CPV
Participating in Blue Swallow, businesses, organizations and individuals will have the opportunity to receive in-cash prizes up to VND100 million, and be connected with financial resources from domestic and foreign investors up to USD300,000 / initiative.
Blue Swallows is a Vietnam’s leading program to build, accelerate and recognize business initiatives for social changes. It aims at promoting entrepreneurial spirit and accelerating innovative and scalable business solutions which are making positive contribution to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Organized for the first time in 2017, the program attracted the attention of hundreds of local and international organizations, embassies, businesses and social enterprises. 88 breakthrough business initiatives for social changes were acknowledged. 15 social business solutions and 10 eco-building initiatives that help tackle societal and environmental challenges were honored, bring hope and positive changes to the community.
Phd Vu Tien Loc, the president of VCCI, head of the organizing committees said: “VCCI welcomes the contribution of Blue Swallows – a long-term program that brings together and promotes business initiatives for the humane and sustainably developed Vietnamese community. We believe that with the initial successes achieved in 2017, this year's program will continue to build and spread the spirit of social entrepreneurs in the community, thereby contributing to creating sustainable values for a better Vietnam.
Entering the industrial revolution 4.0, Vietnam's economy is developing strongly, contributing to the new development stage of the country. In the context of international economic integration, many start-up enterprises were born, attracting capital and technological investment from all over the world. Vietnam is taking unprecedented great development opportunities.
Rapid changes in all areas always result in both new opportunities and challenges. Vietnam is addressing a wide range of social and environmental issues that directly affect the health, quality of life and social security of millions of people, requiring more innovative and sustainable solutions.
"Amidst the trend of integration, sustainable development has not only been an option but will become the only way for all organizations and businesses," Mr. Nghiem Vu Khai, Vice President of the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations affirmed. "This year, Blue Swallows with the emphasis on tech-based business solutions will contribute to realizing Vietnam’s vision and determination to pursue the long-term development and sustainable growth."
UNDP Resident Representative Caitlin Wiesen. (Photo: CPV)
“There is a growing ‘business case’ for driving social change in enterprises. We see an-ever increasing global trend of ethical consumerism, in particular younger people and millennials, who care greatly about how products are produced and how services are delivered. Some consumer surveys estimate Vietnamese are among the most socially-conscious in South East Asia, a trend that is matched by growth in ‘Ethical Investment’, where investors pay much more attention to Environmental, Social and Governance issues when investing in businesses,” said UNDP Resident Representative Caitlin Wiesen. “At the same time, entrepreneurs and business leaders possess skills critical for finding solutions to the pressing challenges we face. It’s only when we tap into the innovation, ambition and vision of business leaders in Viet Nam will we be able to unlock the full potential of the private sector in achieving the SDGs”.
Besides the sustainable development goals, this year, the program will specifically target the youth who have enormous potential to come up with many initiatives and show strong passion to make lasting impact on the community through their start-ups. They also have the quality of true entrepreneurs, who both understand business ethics and have a sense of social responsibility for the development of Vietnam.
Being one of the businesses being honored in the Blue Swallows 2017, Ms. Nguyen Thi Van, Co-founder, Chairman of the Imagtor company shared: "The program has enhanced my confidence in continuing the journey to drive changes for the community, in which there is never a shortage of difficulties and challenges, but full of dedicated companions. Together with other social enterprises all over the country, we will continue to strongly move forward and carry out our mission in creating good values for the community through creative and sustainable business practices.”
“Since its inception, “Blue Swallows” has demonstrated CSIP's commitment in building an ecosystem to incubate and accelerate social initiatives,” said Ms. Ha Thi Thu Thanh, Chairman of Deloitte Vietnam, Chairwoman of CSIP's Board of Directors. “We believe that “Blue Swallows” this year will enhance cooperation, create a foundation to build a new generation of social entrepreneurs who come up with sustainable business models to solve social and environmental problems, contributing to create a more compassionate, peaceful and prosperous Vietnam. With “Blue Swallows”, every initiative which is either big or small, will be spread widely, creating humane values for the community.”
On the press conference, representing the organizing commitee, Ms. Thanh also called on the community, individuals and organizations to accompany with “Blue Swallows” this year in seeking, honoring and replicating business initiatives as well as spreading the message of the program to the public.
“Every business initiative for social changes will become a little swallow that brings hope and positive changes to the community. Together, we can create new breakthroughs for Vietnam’s sustainable development,” she affirmed./.