This research stems from my interest in the intersection between international
development intervention, technical solutions, entrepreneurship and human rights. The
inequity between ‘developing’ and ‘developed’ areas is a product of centuries of
exploitation, corruption, false promises and well-intentioned but misguided interventions
that have dehumanized certain groups while privileging others. I seek to explore one way
in which a promising new model for development might harness the language of human
rights to effect social-structural change in an unequal world. Just as development
intervention can exacerbate historical inequalities, there may be ways in which to engage
in a development process that is not oppressive. Social enterprise seeks to tackle large
and intractable social problems with business methods. However, they do not singl-emindedly
chase profit or power. Instead they use the market to simultaneously achieve
social impact and financial sustainability.