Yunus Social Business Salon: Building a Sustainable Ecosystem Through Plant-Based Living and Entrepreneurship

(中央社訊息服務20250902 10:10:49)The Foundation for Yunus Social Business Taiwan has long promoted the 3ZERO vision—zero carbon emissions, zero poverty, and zero unemployment—proposed by 2006 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus. The foundation encourages young people to establish Social Businesses that address pressing social issues and regularly hosts Yunus Social Business Salons, fostering dialogue and exchange on sustainability.

In anticipation of the “EAT 4 ENVIRONMENT” this October, the foundation held a salon on August 20 at Gaia Flow Plant-Based Cuisine Restaurant. The session featured 許湘宜, Founder of 紅土森林小宇宙, who delivered a talk titled “One Bite at a Time: Practicing Entrepreneurship Through Food”. She shared insights on how plant-based diets can support ecological restoration, improve physical and mental health, and inspire new entrepreneurial ventures. This event served as a prelude to the global challenge, aiming to inspire diverse perspectives and collective action toward environmental protection and low-carbon living.

紅土森林小宇宙 is an experimental hub dedicated to sustainable food production, where 許湘宜 has long advocated for a symbiotic relationship between nature and food. By reconnecting with the land and encouraging a whole-food, plant-based lifestyle, the initiative demonstrates how daily choices can significantly reduce carbon emissions. During the salon, participants also enjoyed a hands-on activity making plant-based oat balls—an accessible way to experience low-carbon eating and incorporate it into their everyday lives.

Professor 張旭華, Dean of the College of Business at National Taipei University of Business and Director of its Yunus Social Business Centre, highlighted in his remarks that NTUB has consistently promoted the vision of net-zero carbon emissions on campus. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to bring back knowledge gained from the salon to further inspire students. Among participants, a mother who attended with her child shared how hands-on food preparation allowed her child to “feel the warmth of food,” while others emphasized the value of learning more about sustainable farming practices and networking with like-minded peers.

Philippa Tsai, President of the Foundation for Yunus Social Business Taiwan, emphasized that the foundation actively engages in international collaboration. Each year, it partners with Bangladesh’s 3ZERO Clubs to co-host the Global Plant-Based Challenge, now in its fourth year. She welcomed corporations and organizations interested in eco-friendly, low-carbon dietary initiatives to explore project partnerships with the foundation. Juno Wang, CEO of the foundation, added, “We have always encouraged people to reduce carbon emissions through lifestyle choices. For young people, launching social businesses that address social problems is not just a goal, but a path toward meaningful change. As Professor Yunus has said: “Every person has the power to change the world.”

The Foundation for Yunus Social Business Taiwan remains committed to supporting vulnerable groups and lifelong learners in pursuing sustainability and education. With the power of good, it seeks to ignite countless inspiring stories of change. President Philippa Tsai and CEO Juno Wang sincerely invite corporations, organizations, and the wider public to join the foundation’s donation campaigns”萬點繁星”. Your support will strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem for Social Business founders, mid-career innovators, and marginalized groups. Every contribution is a spark of hope, propelling the power of social innovation forward.

For more details and donation information, please visit: https://www.yunustw.org