A/Prof. Minako Sakai1
1UNSW Canberra, ACT, Australia
Biography:
Associate Professor Minako Sakai is Deputy Head of School (Research). She has received numerous prestigious awards for her research and education. In 2023, she received the Indonesian Government's Culture Award (Anugerah Kebudayaan Indonesia) and the UNSW Vice Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Higher Degree Research Supervision. In 2024, she received the Indonesian Studies and Cultural Leadership Award from the Australia-Indonesia Institute (DFAT, the Australian Government), and the Dorothy Green Award from the UNSW Canberra for her outstanding research contributions and impact. She uses local values to examine how to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Indo-Pacific region. Her life-long goal is to achieve social impact in our region, especially in Indonesia.
Her research focuses include: 1) Islam, Gender and Development: Women Entrepreneurs and Business Empowerment in Muslim Countries for Gender Equality in Patriarchal Societies; 2) Disaster Relief, Humanitarian Assistance (HADR), Climate Change and Community Resilience; 3) Just Development and Social Innovation: Digital Economy, Social Innovation, Community-Driven Poverty Reduction and Social Protection; and 4) Gender, Peace and Security in the Indo-Pacific region. She held research fellowships with the ANU College of Arts & Social Sciences, ANU College of Asia and Pacific, Cornell University, and the National University of Singapore. In 2023 she held a Research Fellowship at the State Islamic University, Jakarta. She is frequently invited to international conferences for keynote and plenary addresses. She holds a PhD in anthropology from the Australian National University. Originally from Japan, she speaks Indonesian fluently.
Abstract:
Development NGOs play a crucial role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Their role in reducing poverty relies on stable income sources, primarily from donations. Religious almsgiving is a key funding source for civil society organisations (CSOs) in Indonesia. International funds are often tied to specific, evolving goals. This situation challenges the ongoing commitment to certain initiatives. Recent research highlights the need for philanthropic organisations to establish reliable alternative income streams to lessen dependence on donor funding. Running social enterprises is an effective option.
This paper firstly explores the evolving socio-economic conditions driving philanthropic organisations to pursue new income sources. It examines policies that facilitate the growth of social enterprises, especially in the Global South.
Secondly, this research focuses on Indonesia, the country with the largest Muslim population in the world. Environmental degradation is urgent as Jakarta risks submersion, and Indonesia is a leading global CO2 emitter. This pollution significantly affects daily life, highlighting the urgent need for action. This paper investigates the role of social enterprises in addressing environmental concerns. It examines if these concerns and initiatives for renewable energy are fuelling the growth of social enterprises, backed by philanthropic and commercial sectors.