Becoming more inclusive is the direction of progress for social innovation, as the fields of engineering, energy, education, business and IT converge in providing solutions to the world’s problems.

Some key areas were identified as places where social innovators could make an impact, namely creating a sustainable environment by improving energy efficiency; improving methods of healthcare; and improving the general standards of living by finding ways to self-enable people.

Several methods were cited as examples of social innovation, such as the development of stimuli-responsive drug delivery methods; a renal assisting device that could one day help patients with kidney failure; using bamboo to build houses for earthquake-prone regions; providing access to education for students in China; using organic rather than chemical fertilizers; and setting up wireless or broadband networks in poorer regions not currently covered by Internet coverage.

The panelists generally agreed that their inspiration is derived from creating a profitable, sustainable impact on people’s lives through mutual collaboration that solves the problems they face from being underprivileged. A top-down framework to help such people is no longer satisfactory; rather a cooperative approach to self-enable them is the key.

One panelist mentioned that, in translating anything to reality, nothing can be achieved on one’s own. There is a need to rally people to a cause by going out into the field, testing the idea on people to see if it resonates, before setting up a company to meet the need, with technology helping to function as a great enabler.

He went on to emphasize that collaboration is important as teams always outperform individuals over the long term, and some of the best ideas often come from working with people outside of the organization in partnerships.