This blog offers:
- A big picture reflection on the meaning of “doing good” in different activities and situations, e.g., contemporary movements and causes, CSR, nonprofits, social enterprises, philanthropy, government, etc.
- An exploration of little-discussed and controversial topics, e.g., nuances of social impact and notions of justice, do-good career planning and navigation, etc.
- Personal opinions, review of others’ thoughts, knowledge-pieces, and cool ideas
This blog is NOT:
- Another job board
- Another CSR and green news board
A WORLD OF DOING GOOD … AND OUR CONFUSION
Over the past 5-10 years, waves of global economic and environmental crises have spawned intense soul-searching and discussion especially among young people in developed countries everywhere about the role they play in creating or destroying value in their own societies and the impact their lifestyle has on those on distant shores.
We have further evidence of this trend by the unprecedented rise in interest and demand for jobs in the areas of social entrepreneurship, sustainability, corporate responsibility, and all things related to “doing good/green”. We have websites on latest green news, treehugging opinion pieces, job postings for “doing-good” jobs. But we have few people interpreting those job descriptions and telling us if and why that should make sense for each of us.
What we have, in other words, is a heck of a lot of confusion on who is supposed to do what and why. We (and the media) freely mix up topics like “cleantech” and “renewable energy” with topics like “CSR”, “social enterprises” and “marketing to the bottom of the pyramid”, as if it were all pretty much the same stuff! We are also confused at times about what the real issues are underlying our disputes, our doubts and our anger when it comes to doing good and serving justice.
OUR GENERATION
Forget the marketer’s favorite description of “Millennials”, “Generation Y”, etc. – just call us people who have been privileged through birth and the (relative) peace of our times to listen closer to our conscience’s desire to shape the way we think about career and the good life. Not far from this is that notion that sometimes we seek more meaning than landing that safe job that will provide for the family, the mortgage, and that nice picket fence.
In other words, allow me to call us the “Good Generation“. Let me define our name not by the virtue of our actual accomplishments but by our aspiration to somehow be better citizens in thought and deed.
Lastly, let this blog then be a place to talk about not only why we seek to do good and live more meaningfully, but also how to do it in the context of our real lives with all the hopes and constraints that come with them.
