As the social enterprise model is currently emerging in China, the concept of social benefit through business gets more attention not only within the business world but also among university students, the future professionals.
For that reason, on Sunday, March 16th, SYB welcomed at its Baking Center a group of more than 40 students from the University of Nottingham Ningbo China, all eager to deepen their knowledge on this growing trend. The field trip was organized by the Nottingham Social Enterprise Center, a student association which focuses on promoting and nurturing social entrepreneurship through a range of practical activities.
The visit began with a brief introduction of SYB’s history, functioning and organizational structure. It was then followed by a speech given by Xiao Jinjin, our current teacher and SYB graduate, who shared her experience with the audience.
Originating as a charity program, SYB is currently moving towards a social enterprise model so as to gain financial autonomy and to assure its long-term sustainability. Hence, the presentation concluded with a brief overview of SYB’s activities as a social enterprise, the challenges and constraints it has to face due to a very complex legal framework in China as well as our plans for upcoming years. “While I was researching on social enterprises in China, Shanghai Young Bakers immediately caught my attention not only because it perfectly fits our field of interest but also because it was founded and is currently managed by foreigners who may have different views on social entrepreneurship than businesses in China.” – said Joy, the organizer of this trip.
Every visit to SYB Baking Center would not be complete, if the visitors did not have a chance to taste our products. Thus, after a Q&A session and a baking demonstration by Xiao Jinjin, the students could satisfy their appetite with SYB’s delicious pizza and bread.
SYB is extremely content to see that the idea of merging business with a social cause starts to attract an increasing number of young minds in China. That makes us not only more motivated to pursue our own goals but also gives us hope that in a close future social enterprises will play an important role in the Chinese market.
Thu Ha Nghiem, promotion and design
在3月16日，周日，海上青焙坊在烘焙中心迎来了来自宁波诺丁汉大学的40名学生，他们都希望能通过此次活动来深入了解社会企业的发展。
因此，在3月16日，周日，海上青焙坊在烘焙中心迎来了来自宁波诺丁汉大学的40名学生，他们都希望能通过此次活动来深入了解社会企业的发展。这次实地考察活动是由诺丁汉社会企业中心组织的。这个学生组织致力于通过各种实践性活动来推广社会企业。
首先，我们向他们介绍了海上青焙坊的历史，职能和运作结构。我们曾经的学生，也是目前的烘焙老师肖金金又就她在海上青焙坊的成长经历发表了演说。
作为一个公益项目，海上青焙坊正在朝社会企业的方向发展，以努力达到资金独立并保证自身的可持续发展性。因此，我们的报告中主要总结了海上青焙坊作为一个社会企业所开展的活动以及在面对中国繁杂的法律程序时碰到的挑战和限制。“当我在调查研究中国社会企业时，海上青焙坊一下子就抓住了我的眼球，不光是因为它符合我们对烘焙的兴趣，更是因为它目前是由与我们有不同眼界和文化背景的外籍人士发起和运作的。”这次实地考察的组织人乔伊说。
按照惯例，只有当参观者品尝过我们制作的烘焙产品，这次旅途才算是完整的。所以，在结束了问答环节和肖金金老师的烘焙演示之后，所有的学生们又品尝到了海上青焙坊美味的披萨和面包。
看到通过商业给社会带来福利的企业模式在中国受到了越来越多年轻人的追捧和欢迎，海上青焙坊感到十分欣喜。这不光光激励着我们去更加努力地追求我们的目标，也让我们看到了对未来的希望，那就是社会企业将在中国的市场中将占有重要的一席之地。
图晗，推广与设计