October 16, 2012
In an age of austerity, with governments and international organizations limited in their capacity to address atrocities, Dr. Zachary Kaufman’s book is a timely reminder of the power of social entrepreneurs to effect critical change. But this is no romantic account of the ability of inspired individuals to make a difference after mass conflict. As an insiders’ view of entrepreneurship, this book gives a warts-and-all account of the personal, political, social, and economic challenges that must be overcome and the energy, risk-taking, and good fortune required to achieve even modest results. Highlighting the crucial work of social entrepreneurs, this collection also provides a necessary critique of the failures of governments and international bodies such as the UN to respond coherently to the challenges of post-conflict societies.
This book makes an all too rare and important point: One of the distinguishing characteristics of social entrepreneurs is the way their actions and their example pave the way for peace. Kaufman gives us multiple examples here to demonstrate that the kind of empathetic leadership exhibited by these social entrepreneurs builds an alternative to conflict and contributes to the stability and security of societies.”
