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Meloto Leads Endorsement of OKIOCREDIT-ISEA Book on Measuring Social Enterprise

Ramon Magsaysay Awardee and Gawad Kalinga Founder Antonio Meloto led about 200 participants and guests in endorsing “Measuring Social Enterprise: A Resource Book on Social Enterprise Performance Measurement” on November 24, 2009, 3:00-5:00 PM at Pearl Hall, SEAMEO-INNOTECH, University of the Philippines, Diliman Quezon City, Philippines. 

The book, jointly published by Oikocredit International and the Institute for Social Entrepreneurship in Asia (ISEA) features eight chapters including four cases demonstrating the relevance and application of development indexing (DI) and social return on investment (SROI) as tools for social performance measurement. 

Leading the ISEA officers, members, partners and staff were Chairperson and Ateneo School of Government Dean Antonio La Vina, ISEA Board Member Ronald Chua and ISEA President Marie Lisa Dacanay. Dean La Vina gave the welcome remarks while Ms. Dacanay introduced the book. 

Managing Director Tor Gull, Social Performance and Financial Analysis Department Director Ben Simmes and Southeast Asia Regional Director Tess Pilapil led the board, officers, staff and partners of Oikocredit International in the celebration. Mr. Simmes delivered a message while Mr. Gull gave the closing remarks. The launch was part of the activities commemorating the 20th Anniversary of Oikocredit’s operations in the Philippines. Oikocredit is a global cooperative society initiated by the World Council of Churches in 1975 to promote socially responsible investments and the empowerment of disadvantaged people with credit.

ISEA’s President, who also served as the book’s editor, project director and principal author, led the honoring of the book’s case subjects and project team. The case subjects featured three important segments of social enterprises in the Philippines, such as fair trade organizations (Alter Trade Group), microfinance institutions (Negros Women for Tomorrow Foundation) and cooperatives (National Federation of Cooperatives of Persons with Disability). The case writers were Rosalinda Roy, Asuncion Sebastian and Meldy Pelejo. European Network on SROI founder Peter Scholten, contributed the chapter on SROI and co-supervised the case writing process with Ms. Dacanay. Authoring the book’s foreword is Southeast Asia’s multi-awarded social entrepreneur, Dr. Mechai Viravaidya, Chairperson of the Population and Community Development Association in Thailand. 

The event was made memorable by Filipino artist Joey Ayala and the Bagong Lumad Artists Foundation, Inc (BLAFI), who served as master of ceremonies and cultural event performers. The cultural aspect of the launch featured group chanting, dancing, community singing, and a few song numbers by Joey Ayala and BLAFI. It also featured an original song number from the Alter Trade Group. 

The event was capped by book signing, snacks and socials, immediately following a closing cultural number and recognition of guests. 

  • Ateneo School of Government Dean Antonio La Viña, Chairperson of ISEA welcomes participants and guests to the book launch of 'Measuring Social Enterprise'
  • Mr. Ben Simmes, Director of Social Performance and Financial Analysis Department, Oikocredit International explains the book's relevance as they celebrate their 20th Anniversary of working in a developing country such as the Philippines.
  • Ms. Marie Lisa Dacanay, ISEA President and Editor/Project Director explains how the tools featured in the book could help measure what are usually considered unquantifiable like empowerment and increased self esteem.
  • Ms. Theresa Pilapil, Oikocredit Southeast Asia Regional Director is recognized by the Editor/Project Director for her critical role in supporting the book project.
  • Mr. Antonio Meloto, Founder of Gawad Kalinga and honored guest during the book launch leads in endorsing 'Measuring Social Enterprise' as he shares his perspectives on the relevance of systems development as an organization grows.
  • Mr. Peter Scholten, international specialist on Social Return on Investment (SROI) and author of the book's chapter on SROI is honored by the Project Director/Editor for his contribution to the project.
  • Negros Women for Tomorrow Foundation (NWTF), one of the case subjects of the book is represented by Mr. Raymond Serios and Deputy Director for Operations Corazon Henares (not in the picture) during the book launch.
  • An Alter Trade Group representative contributes their foundation song to make the launch of the book featuring their organization and partner sugar farmers and banana growers, a cultural celebration.
  • Mr. Tor Gull, Managing Director, Oikocredit International gives his closing remarks during the book launch.
  • Joey Ayala and the Bagong Lumad Artists Foundation make the book launch of 'Measuring Social Enterprise' a cultural event to remember.
  • Ms. Marie Lisa Dacanay, principal author and Editor of 'Measuring Social Enterprise' autographs copies of the book.
  • About 200 leaders and guests from social enterprises and institutions from various sectors join ISEA and Oikocredit in launching 'Measuring Social Enterprise'
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