Georgetown Banks On Social Entrepreneurship

Georgetown University is singing a happy tune after a one million dollar donation from Bank of America to integrate social entrepreneurship into its business curriculum. This donation marks one of the largest to the university by a banking institution.

Georgetown's McDonough School of Business partnered with Bank of America for the Global Social Entrepreneurship Initiative. The goal is to educate students on conducting socially conscious business directives by making social entrepreneurship as part of the curriculum.

The university wants to create socially responsible leaders that work, not only for the bottom line, but also for the good of the community and the planet. The school of business' Professor of Practice, William Novelli, wants students to graduate with a belief in the idea of "doing well by doing good."

Bank of America is interested in promoting economic development and job growth, so partnering with the university on a social entrepreneurship program seemed like a wise investment. It can only be good for the bank if the business leaders of tomorrow are thinking about more than just their own business for the well-being of everyone.

Now that the partnership and the initiative has been formed, the next step is to contact national and local government agencies, non-profit companies and corporations to solve global issues. The program will focus on global health and well-being, investing responsibly, clean energy and international growth and economic development.

The university hopes to partner with Georgetown Public Policy Institute, Georgetown Law Center, Center for Social Impact and many others. The eventual goal is to partner with organizations, not just nationally, but internationally as well.

Social entrepreneurship has become a global phenomenon especially in countries such as Great Britain. Social responsibility is also alive and well in many small, poverty-stricken countries as a way to spur growth and other relief efforts.

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