Global Seminar Spotlight: Social Entrepreneurship & Innovation in Panama

Study Abroad, CU-Boulder

Next May, CU-Boulder students will partner with entrepreneurs in Panama to build social enterprises that address poverty, the environment and social challenges.  The Center for Education on Social Responsibility in the Leeds School of Business and Study Abroad will send students to Panama to complete a three week version of CESR’s popular course, Business Solutions for the Developing World (CESR 4005).
 
The Business Solutions for the Developing World course has been offered on campus for the last few years as an elective for students pursuing the Socially Responsible Enterprise (SRE) Certificate offered by CESR.  CESR 4005 is designed for students interested in business opportunities that meet the social and environmental challenges in developing countries.  The primary objective is to provide students with practical knowledge and experience in developing innovative, sustainable business strategies to meet the needs of the poor and to encourage students to think critically about how business can make an impact on social and environmental issues.
 
The course will be conducted in partnership with a host community in Panama and local entrepreneurs from that community.  Students will become immersed in the culture through home stays which will expedite their understanding of community culture, needs and opportunities.  Small teams will be matched with community entrepreneurs to analyze and identify opportunities and to create innovative business ideas.  Students will learn about the challenges of building and supporting social enterprises.  At the end of the trip, each team will deliver a report and recommendations that are tailored to meet the needs and goals of its entrepreneur.  Individually, each student will complete a portfolio that will document their trip experience.
 
Panama is considered the fourth strongest economy in Latin America and one of the top 20 fastest growing economies in the world.  However, strong economic performance has not translated into broadly shared prosperity, as Panama has the second worst income distribution in Central America after Haiti.  Consequently, Panama will provide the class with ample opportunity to learn about the potential for business solutions to address poverty and related social and environmental challenges.
 
Catherine Milburn will direct the program.  She is a Senior Instructor in the Leeds School of Business in the Center on Education for Social Responsibility.  She was born in Panama and has traveled and volunteered extensively throughout Central America.

For a full list of Global Seminars that are running in 2015, click here.
 

Last Updated June 2015