Countries in need — and the groups that want to help them — have a friend in Dennis Whittle.
Whittle, a leader in social entrepreneurship, spoke at the Campus Y on Thursday about how aspiring students can use their skills to promote social, economic or environmental change.
Whittle is a former UNC student and Morehead Scholar and is the co-founder of GlobalGiving, which connects charities and donors with social improvement projects to ensure that they receive necessary funding.
He spoke of the importance of social entrepreneurship to improve quality of life in developing countries, a theme he said is particularly relevant in the wake of Japan’s earthquake disaster.
Richard Harrill, director of the Campus Y, said student-led ventures often develop into organizations with worldwide impacts.
He noted the recent success of the UNC-born Nourish International, which has evolved into a multi-chapter organization that is building community centers in Thailand.
The group achieved widespread success after winning GlobalGiving’s challenge, which awarded a grant to the project idea that accumulated the most donors.
Whittle said today’s students, particularly at UNC, will lead the charge to develop new initiatives and aid programs like Nourish International.
“Students have the ability to use their skills in social networking and technology to decrease the burdens and costs that underdeveloped people face,” he said.