Thanks everyone for coming to our April Social Innovation Salons in Shanghai (4/27) and Hong Kong (4/29). Here's a recap of our two social challenges and each group's innovation solution:
Social challenge 1: How to improve the quality of libraries in rural China?
Why is this important?
Libraries provide a gateway to knowledge for rural population
Background
Most people who live in rural areas lack access to good
libraries due to lack of government funding. Libraries that do exist often have
poor infrastructure and are not well managed.
Status Quo
Non profits have donated money to rebuild rural libraries. However most resources are put into building hard infrastructures, rather than improving the quality of the libraries. Rural libraries often lack access to good quality books, and librarians lack professional training.
Responses to social challenge 1
from Shanghai:
Group 8: Trickle down libraries (Winner)
Responses to social challenge 1 from Hong Kong:
Group
2:
Revamp library concept
Group
3: 1st page
Summary of all ideas (HK & SH) for social challenge 1- Mindmap
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Social Challenge 2: How to engage at-risk youth to positively contribute to the society?
Why is this important?
At-risk youth are on the borderline of being trapped
into a vicious cycle of crime and substance abuse.
Background
At risk youth generally are in the age range of 12-18
They often times have dropped out of school, have low levels of education, and
come from broken families.
Status Quo
There are several government and non-profit programs targeted at this population, most of them being vocational programs. However, these programs are usually short-term, lack follow-up, and do not teach skills that interest the youth.
Responses
to social challenge 2 from Shanghai:
Group
1: Loose the key
Group
4: Step up
Group
5: Creative Community Center - CCC
Group
6: Kick it
Group 7: Camp China (Winner)
Responses to social challenge 2 from Hong Kong:
Group 1: Give him a job
Group 2: Get it done
Group 3: Social EQ
Group 4: Bright feet
