Social innovation is defined as a constructive action that seeks to satisfy the need of a vulnerable sector of society in order to generate positive social changes in the community and not only in the individual. In the best of scenarios, not only a problem is solved but also the mentality of people is changed, so that they remain in constant development and can face future adverse situations.
According to several experts from the World Bank (WB), one of the most relevant issues in the Latin American context is the inclusion of the indigenous community, since this population usually lives in conditions of extreme poverty, excluded from basic services such as education. Whether they remain in their home territory or migrate to the urban area in search of an improvement in their quality of life; this sector of society continues to remain in the low-class profile still representing the roots of a country and contributing greatly to the production of the same.
With approximately 42 million indigenous people (approx. 7.8% of the total population), Latin America has become a pioneer in ensuring the inclusion of Indigenous communities, so that they can achieve a decent quality of life. Some of the measures being implemented are listed below:
– For communities or persons of indigenous origin who wish to remain in their territory (about 50 per cent), projects are implemented that not only provide decent work and remuneration to the population but also bring basic services and education to these isolated areas. In addition, reforestation and preservation of the environment are being developed, which is of vital importance for the indigenous population.
Some of the companies that have performed this type of work are: Runa and Proloprobio. There are also other social entrepreneurs, such as members of Ashoka, who have seen a great opportunity to work with the indigenous population.
– While for those indigenous citizens living in urban areas, organizations or groups are being created to provide support, education and training so that they have the opportunity not only to get a job but to start their own source of income.
This migration to the cities benefits, albeit in a low proportion, the indigenous community; since it has 1.5 times more chances to access basic services such as electricity or drinking water. While in the case of higher education there are up to 7.7 more chances.
One reality is that in Latin America there is a marked difference of social classes. In addition to the indigenous community, there are people from the urban area who also live in poverty. To reduce these situations of precariousness, some projects have been carried out and social innovators have emerged throughout the globe to give their support to this noble cause. Some of the actions that are currently running are:
– The creation of medical groups, such as Operación Sonrisa, that travel to places of extreme poverty, not only within Latin America, in order to create temporary clinics and attend free of charge to the inhabitants of the area. They even sometimes offer free surgeries for those who need it most.
– The alleviation of the cycle of poverty in the community, encouraging a positive change mentality of people. This is why special attention has been paid to bringing education to the most needy places. Everything starts with the little ones and must continue in the family nucleus. As a result, the creation of training centers for adults as well has proliferated, where they can learn a trade or acquire skills for their empowerment as individuals.
– The creation of banks or governments that are willing to provide economic support and advice to entrepreneurs, thus facilitating the creation of new sources of work. Making 60% of the population that currently works in enterprises can continue to develop.
Although the road is long to be able to minimize the gap between social classes, the first steps have been taken in recent years; increasing more and more the number of people who belong to a middle class (currently about 50 million people in the general population).
The important thing is to continue like this and expand this trend. Change can start with a very imaginative girl at home or with a young adult with a project in mind. The important thing is to keep the mind active and open to new ideas that, however difficult it may seem, can carry them out. Sooner or later we will find a way to meet our challenges.
Source:
http://www.dinero.com/economia/articulo/la-situacion-social-y-economica-de-la-poblacion-indigena-en-america-latina/219675
http://www.elcomercio.com/actualidad/bancomundial-latinoamerica-politicas-indigenas-inclusion.html
https://www.changemakers.com/es/g20media/indigenousSMEs-es
