Session Summary:
There is an important trend developing in the delivery of effective Corporate Social Responsibility. It is being led by multinational corporations and international NGOs who are committed to equitable and meaningful change. Not just tax-efficient lip-service; not just local projects and photo ops – but long-term collaborative programming that makes the world a better place and the company a better business. DOT calls it “Social Enterprise Partnerships”. Based on shared values, it brings together the assets and objectives of the corporation with the local knowledge and delivery experience of the social enterprise. It’s a win-win proposition and the results can be substantial. Janet Longmore, President and CEO, will discuss this trend from the perspective of an international social enterprise and will illustrate with observations from DOT’s global partnerships with Cisco Systems and IBM.
DOT is a leading international social enterprise – an innovator in enabling people to access and apply information and communications technologies to create education, economic and entrepreneurial opportunities. With headquarters in Ottawa, DOT is working with hundreds of thousands of youth, women and marginalized communities in 11 countries in the Middle East, Africa, Asia and North America. Maclean’s magazine says DOT is creating “a path to self-sufficiency” that’s attracting attention – and serious money – from donors looking for alternatives to old-style development assistance”.
Janet Longmore founded DOT in 2002. A highly respected social entrepreneur, she has been recognized as one of Canada’s 2010 Top 100 Women of Power by the Women’s Executive Network.
Come hear Janet speak on Friday May 13th at the 2011 Annual Conference of the Canadian Association of International Development Consultants!
Speakers:
Introduction by CAIDC Ethics and Governance Committee
John Lazier and Anne Fouillard
Janet Longmore - Founder, President and CEO of DOT.
Janet Longmore is the founder of Digital Opportunity Trust (DOT) and serves as President and CEO.
A determined leader and inspiring role model, she has dedicated her career to the creation of new approaches and sustainable solutions that have successfully helped people in less fortunate societies improve their lives. She has earned an international reputation as an innovative social entrepreneur.
An honours graduate of Queen’s University School of Business, Janet has taught business theory in Europe; she has led the largest agency for at-risk youth in the USA; she is a sought after speaker on international development topics; and she is a member of the Strategy Council of the United Nations Global Alliance for ICT and Development.
Under her leadership and vision, DOT has risen to the forefront of social enterprise, an international leader and innovator in enabling people to access and apply information and communications technologies to create education, economic and entrepreneurial opportunities. DOT is now working with youth, women and marginalized communities in 11 countries from offices in the Middle East, Africa, Asia and North America. DOT is transforming thousands of young people to become leaders of economic and education change in their societies. In guiding DOT’s steady growth, Janet has forged long term partnerships with Cisco Systems, IBM, The MasterCard Foundation and agencies such as USAID and CIDA.
DOT’s performance is not going unnoticed. In 2010, Janet Longmore was recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 Women of Power and Influence by the Women’s Executive Network. DOT was conveyed the 2010 Canadian Social Innovation Enterprise Award and Maclean’s, Canada’s leading national news magazine, recently noted that “DOT is creating a path to self-sufficiency that’s attracting attention – and serious money – from donors looking for alternatives to old-style development assistance.”