During my time as a journalist, I had several opportunities to meet and talk with today’s youth, often referred to as the MZ generation (college students). Most conversations revolved around their interest in social values .   What I noticed was that young people are more concerned with social values than I had expected. While not every individual behaves this way, in general, youth don’t just buy products because they are cheap or aesthetically pleasing. Instead, they consider the values and philosophy behind a brand, as well as the meaning their purchase carries.   👉Consumption as a Language of Personal Values   Young people who own pets are concerned about animal welfare . Those who are disabled or have disabled friends are attentive to disability-related issues. Residents of specific regions care about regional decline and depopulation.   In other words, concerns like animal welfare, human rights, regional sustainability, and environmenta...

Local networking event from late last year, bringing people together.(Photo by Milly)  Social innovation organizations are often seen as “doing good for society,” but sustaining that work is far from easy. A single organization often faces limitations   lack of resources, isolation, and limited influence. Doing good doesn’t automatically mean making a profit.   In South Korea, the social innovation space remains relatively small, so many organizations build networks as a foundation for growth. These networks are often looser than “collective impact” models but still serve as essential platforms for collaboration.   Why Networks Matter   There are several reasons why networks are essential in the social innovation field.   👉Sharing Resources and Information One of the greatest strengths of a network is the ability to share practical resources from government support programs and funding opportunities to talent and hands-on experience. Small ...