“TECHFEST SOCIAL OPEN INNOVATION” 2024: MOBILIZING SOCIAL CAPITAL TO ACCELERATE COMMUNITY INNOVATION
Hanoi, November 5, 2024 – The “Open Social Innovation” workshop with the theme “Mobilizing Social Capital to Accelerate Community Innovation” was successfully held. The event gathered leaders and pioneers in innovation to explore how to mobilize social resources to drive innovation within communities. The event was co-organized by the Vietnam National Agency for Technology Entrepreneurship & Commercialization Development (NATEC), Ministry of Science and Technology; the Community Chest of Korea; UnitedWay Worldwide, Deloitte Vietnam; and the Management and Sustainable Development Institute (MSD) – United Way Vietnam, with MSD serving as the Head of the Open Social Innovation Village at TECHFEST.
All Participants of the “Open Social Innovation” Workshop
The world has undergone significant changes since the international community committed to implementing the 2030 Agenda. However, the path toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) remains full of challenges and is more urgent than ever. Entrepreneurship and innovation are not only drivers of economic growth but also key in finding solutions to the complex social and environmental issues we face today.
In this context, the “Open Social Innovation” workshop with the theme “Mobilizing Social Capital to Accelerate Community Innovation” – an initiative of the Open Social Innovation Village at TECHFEST – aimed to connect stakeholders, including government, businesses, corporations, investors, research institutions, social organizations, and startups. The event provided a platform for collaboration opportunities and leveraging diverse resources for innovation in alignment with the SDGs. Successful models of innovation, entrepreneurship, and empowerment of young leaders were shared and discussed. The workshop also provided an opportunity for United Way’s Global Network to share best practices and international experiences on social innovation in community activities. This forum served as an open space for stakeholders to discuss and mobilize resources for upcoming activities, aimed towards Vision 2030.
The workshop attracted over 100 experts from 7 countries and territories. Notable representatives included: Mr. Marc E. Knapper, U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam; Mr. Phạm Hồng Quất, Director of the Market Development and Science and Technology Enterprises Department (NATEC), Ministry of Science and Technology; Dr. Sonya Anderson, Executive Vice President, United Way Worldwide; Dr. Insik Hwang, Secretary General, Community Chest of Korea; Mr. Sukkun Sun, Shinhan Square Bridge Project Director, Shinhan Financial Group Hope Foundation; Dr. Moosung Chung, Chairman, Hyundai Motor CMK Foundation; Ms. Fleur Gribnau, First Secretary – Head of Economic Affairs, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; Mr. Phạm Hoàng Hải, Head of the Vietnam Business Council for Sustainable Development, Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI); Mr. Phạm Thanh Tịnh, President of the Vietnam Southeast Asian Studies Association; Mr. Nguyễn Lâm Thanh, General Director, TikTok Vietnam; Ms. Trần Thị Thuý Ngọc, Deputy General Director, Deloitte Vietnam; Mr. Nguyễn Hoành Tiến, Senior Vice President, Distribution and Marketing Services, MoMo; Mr. Nguyễn Ngọc Lâm, President, and Ms. Nguyễn Phương Linh, Director of the MSD Institute; along with many renowned experts both domestically and internationally.
In his opening speech, Mr. Phạm Hồng Quất, Director of the Market Development and Science and Technology Enterprises Department (NATEC), Ministry of Science and Technology, highly appreciated the collaboration and support of MSD United Way Vietnam – Head of the Open Social Innovation Village at TECHFEST in recent years to promote open innovation activities, especially the social pillar, contributing to the development of the national startup and innovation ecosystem. The gathering of top experts in the field at today’s workshop demonstrates the potential of mobilizing collective resources and fostering multi-stakeholder cooperation to create social impact through science and technology.
Mr. Phạm Hồng Quất – Director of the Market Development and Science and Technology Enterprises Department (NATEC), Ministry of Science and Technology, delivered a speech at the workshop
On behalf of the organizing committee, Dr. Sonya Anderson, Executive Vice President of United Way Worldwide, once again emphasized the importance of an international forum to share best practices, connect, and open up future collaboration opportunities for all parties. “At United Way, we deeply believe in the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration to create collective impact towards achieving the SDGs, especially in the context of globalization with the complex issues we face today. By working together, we can leverage the strengths of each party and tap into more resources, talents, and ideas. United Way is committed to building long-term partnerships that empower communities to address systemic issues ranging from inequality, poverty, and health to education disparities and environmental challenges. United Way’s commitment to gathering resources and expertise from local, regional, and global sources is reflected here today. The theme of this forum – mobilizing social resources to drive community innovation – couldn’t be more fitting in the current context. Technology, from AI to data analytics, is helping us accelerate scalable solutions, focusing on communities faster and more efficiently than ever. But it’s not just about technology; it’s about how we use technology to bridge gaps, amplify community voices, and create meaningful social impact,” Dr. Anderson shared.
Dr. Sonya Anderson, Executive Vice President of United Way Worldwide
Dr. Insik Hwang, Secretary General of the Community Chest of Korea, also emphasized, “This Open Social Innovation workshop is not only a meeting point but also a connection of ideas, passion, and commitment to social innovation. We have a unique opportunity to explore how innovation, built on technology, ESG principles, and the enthusiasm of the younger generation, can contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. In a rapidly changing world, the challenges we face demand creative and collaborative solutions. This workshop is a place where we can share knowledge, learn from each other, and build partnerships that transcend borders. By working together, we can create positive and sustainable change for communities.”
Dr. Insik Hwang, Secretary General of the Community Chest of Korea
The workshop was also attended by Dr. Phạm Thanh Tịnh, President of the Southeast Asian Studies Association (SEARAV). He shared, “This workshop is part of the mission of the Southeast Asian Studies Association – Vietnam – as the governing body of MSD United Way Vietnam, aiming to promote social science research, connect knowledge, and encourage cooperation in Southeast Asia. Over the years, the Association has focused on research activities, dialogue, and supporting innovative initiatives for sustainable development and progress for communities. We place particular emphasis on collaborating with non-profit organizations, experts, and researchers to implement programs that improve the quality of life and promote social inclusion. We all recognize that innovation plays a central role in addressing today’s challenges. This workshop is an opportunity for us to share breakthrough initiatives and practical applied research, thereby inspiring new methods and solutions to enhance the quality of life, bridge development gaps, and promote sustainable development.”
Dr. Phạm Thanh Tịnh – President of the Southeast Asian Studies Association (SEARAV) delivered a speech at the workshop.
Also at the event, the key findings from the report on Innovation and Entrepreneurship towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – International Models and Lessons for Vietnam were shared for the first time. This study was conducted by MSD United Way Vietnam in collaboration with NATEC in 2023. Affirming the role of innovation in the community, Ms. Nguyễn Phương Linh, Director of MSD Institute, stated, “85% of businesses participating in the survey have fully or partially integrated the SDGs into their organizational activities, and more than 90% of businesses believe that social open innovation provides opportunities to create sustainable business value, with positive impacts on society and the environment. These findings confirm that social open innovation is not just a passing trend but also a method and approach for businesses to grow effectively and sustainably. This process requires businesses to be open to connecting with stakeholders, especially government, social organizations, research institutions, and communities. For the success of social open innovation, it is essential to have the support of a unified ecosystem that is collaborative, ‘OPEN’ to opportunities for participation, contribution, and collective impact, bringing about positive WIN-WIN-WIN changes for businesses, social organizations, and communities, ensuring sustainable development and leaving no one behind.”
Ms. Nguyễn Phương Linh, Director of the Management and Sustainable Development Institute (MSD) – United Way Vietnam
Within the framework of the forum, five high-level panel sessions took place, with experts from policy-making agencies, international organizations, social organizations, and businesses engaging in discussions around current and relevant topics, including:
- Session 1: Innovation and SDGs – The Emerging Trend: The discussions focused on identifying and updating emerging trends in innovation and entrepreneurship, particularly about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In the global context, business and entrepreneurship have officially become key drivers of sustainable development, making innovation crucial in contributing to the achievement of SDGs. Therefore, a clear understanding of these emerging trends will provide stakeholders with the necessary information to prepare and implement activities in alignment with global sustainability trends.
- Session 2: ESG Towards Sustainable Growth: This session emphasized ESG as an essential component of a company’s business strategy, focusing on the role of collaborative activities in promoting environmental (E), social (S), and governance (G) criteria, thereby strengthening collective efforts to achieve sustainable and equitable growth.
- Session 3: Technology to Generate Social Impacts: This session explored the power of technology, particularly AI and digital transformation, in expanding and enhancing social impact creation. Experts shared and introduced advanced technological solutions and models that can improve the effectiveness of addressing social challenges.
- Session 4: The Important Role of Youth Entrepreneurship: Empowering and nurturing the next generation of leaders plays a vital role in sustainable development through innovative solutions to social issues. This discussion introduced successful models and initiatives that have inspired youth enthusiasm and creativity, leading to positive changes within communities.
- Session 5: Power of the Community: This session focused on discussing models and methods for mobilizing individual and community resources for social projects, introducing several community crowdfunding initiatives and platforms. It examined how efforts from the community, as well as social media and marketing campaigns for social causes, can effectively mobilize resources for social projects.
The “Open Social Innovation” workshop marks a new step in mobilizing social resources, supporting the startup innovation ecosystem, and contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in Vietnam. Multi-stakeholder commitment and collaboration are key factors in sustaining and enhancing the effectiveness of innovation and technological solutions to address social issues in an inclusive way, ensuring that no one is left behind.
