It is becoming more and more accepted that there is no universal solution to overcoming the challenges of development. That is not to say, however, that cross-regional learning is not a viable avenue to success.
Drawing on almost 30 years of experience in democratic and market reform, CIPE gathers and shares leading practices throughout its partner network in order to provide effective program ideas and increase success in reform. To facilitate this process, last year CIPE launched a Leading Practices Competition to draw attention to innovative projects throughout the CIPE network. This year marks the second annual competition. And the winners are:
1st Place – Samriddhi: The Prosperity Foundation, Nepal
Owing to predominant socialist thought in the political-economic discourses of Nepal and in its educational curriculum, the concepts of entrepreneurship, profit-making, private enterprise, and liberal economy are often vilified in Nepalese society. Though entrepreneurship is slowly gaining popularity, students and young people lack a solid understanding and virtue of private enterprise and open economy.
To help develop an entrepreneurial culture, Samriddhi developed a six day residential school program called Arthalaya. Through this program, university students and young professionals learn the values of free enterprise and economic freedom in a dynamic setting that includes lectures, presentations, and simulations. At the same time, participants in the program are tasked with running their own enterprise for the duration of their residence. Staff enact various regulations emulating real policies in the country to help promote an understanding of how businesses and the economy are affected by such policies. The program is not only geared toward teaching the process of becoming an entrepreneur, but also educates participants on the democratic framework that upholds free enterprise in the long run. Read more about the Arthalaya program.
2nd Place - Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Pakistan
In a country where almost 60% of the population is under the age of 30 and unemployment continues to rise, the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) took action to unleash the economic potential of Pakistan’s youth. ICCI created the Young Entrepreneurs Forum to motivate youth towards entrepreneurship so that young people can enter the mainstream business world, embark on an entrepreneurial career, and contribute positively to developing the national economy.
In the process, ICCI held youth forums, conferences, and roundtables to deliberate on issues with a particular focus on entrepreneurship development. University students, policy makers, academics, and young professionals all gathered to deliberate important issues and develop recommended solutions. Emerging from these discussions, numerous recommendations were developed that have since been incorporated into Pakistan’s National Youth Policy.
Thanks to the efforts of ICCI, membership in the Young Entrepreneurs Forum continues to grow and youth have more access to the economy. While ICCI was the first chamber in Pakistan to take such action, links between entrepreneurs and local chambers across the country continue to develop and the Entrepreneurship Development Center has been established to provide young entrepreneurs with the necessary tools for success.
3rd Place – Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mongolia
Recognizing the importance of open discussion between the government and private sector, the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MNCCI) has worked to ensure that Public Private Dialogue (PPD) becomes a staple of policy creation in Mongolia. Over the last few years, MNCCI has successfully advocated for the adoption of a State Policy on PPD and a Law of Concession, which provided state officials with guidance on the subject.
PPD is a powerful tool for governance around the world as it helps to create consensus and prevents overbearing state interference and regulation. By ensuring that the private sector has a voice in the democratic process of policy creation, MNCCI has directly contributed to the continued economic development of Mongolia. Because of MNCCI’s efforts, state bodies now regularly seek consultation with the private sector when making important policy decisions.
While the above organizations were selected by the judging panel for developing the most effective and innovative solutions to the problems facing their respective countries, CIPE has received many other submissions through the contest. It is difficult to simply transplant an idea or practice from one country to the next, expecting the results will be the same. Countless institutions, both formal and informal, create very different landscapes in different societies. However, these programs have proven extremely successful in their home countries and with a little translation and adaptation, they can be equally promising around the world. Visit CIPE’s Leading Practices website to review past a present submissions to the contest and see what you might be able to accomplish building on these great ideas.
