This conference will position Chulalongkorn University as a global leader in Social Business Innovation. It marks the inaugural gathering of Chulalongkorn University’s Yunus Center at the Social Research Institute. The Yunus Centers represent the premier global network for social business, spearheaded by Muhammad Yunus, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his pioneering work in microfinance and currently serves as the Interim Leader of Bangladesh.
Innovations in social networking, science, and technology must be guided by a conscientious consideration of their social and environmental impacts to ensure the flourishing of humanity. Emerging technologies—such as new energy solutions, artificial intelligence, robotics, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs)—present significant opportunities but also pose substantial risks. These innovations can either alleviate or exacerbate pressing global issues, including wealth inequality, homelessness, environmental degradation, climate change, food insecurity, unemployment, mass migration, and both physical and mental health challenges. These issues have reached critical thresholds, threatening social and environmental stability and security in many parts of the world. Simultaneously, many financial, corporate, and governmental entities, such as BlackRock and USAID, are beginning to scale back their support for net-zero and social empowerment initiatives.
A social business framework inherently emphasizes social good, rather than profit alone, as its guiding principle. This conference serves as a timely call to action, bringing together social business entrepreneurs, academic researchers, policymakers, and financial institutions to forge a new path toward a more sustainable, equitable, and socially responsible world. In a world that grows increasingly uncertain and perilous, Chulalongkorn University will serve as a beacon of leadership and innovation.
For more information, please visit the event website here.
Event on 20 September – 27 September in New York City / SEI joins the Climate Week in New York to highlight global leadership and finance solutions for accelerating the transition to net zero industry.
Past event / SEI Asia will lead the breakfast briefing at Unlocking Capital for Sustainability (UCFS) Singapore 2026 on 10 September 2026.
Press release / One of the world’s oldest construction materials, clay, could help deliver lower-carbon cement, according to a new report from LeadIT.
