With the rapid development of the global economy and increasing attention to sustainable development, Benefit Corporations (B Corps) are gradually emerging as a force to drive business toward positive social impact. These enterprises practice a new management philosophy that not only focuses on shareholder interests but also cares for the well-being of all stakeholders, including employees, customers, communities, and the environment, striving to create value for society as a whole. At the same time, many "shared value" communities and networks are quietly emerging, benefiting different groups of people and spreading care and responsibility.
In this context, on the afternoon of October 26, the "Forum on the Economy for the Common Good and Business Innovation" was held at NYU Shanghai. The event was hosted by the NYU Shanghai Center for Business Education and Research (CBER), co-organized by the Shanghai Guangbo Further Education Institute, and content co-created with the Lepin Foundation. The forum included keynote speeches and roundtable discussions, where a diverse group of guests gathered to discuss topics such as urban development, B Corps, community growth, and business innovation, sharing deep insights and practical experiences from their respective fields. Over 80 attendees from government agencies, industry, and academia participated in the forum.
Professor Chen Yuxin, Dean of Business and distinguished Global Professor of Business at NYU Shanghai, delivered the opening speech. He quoted a classic line from the Great Learning ("Da Xue"): "Thus, the noble person first pays attention to virtue. With virtue, there are people; with people, there is land; with land, there is wealth; with wealth, there is usefulness." He vividly explained the core concepts of urban development, community growth, and the shared value economy: only those with virtue, starting from a place of goodness, can attract and nurture talent, which is then rooted in the land, ultimately creating and accumulating wealth to give back to society and communities. Professor Chen noted that the forum aligns with NYU Shanghai's educational mission of "Make the World Your Major" and expressed hope that it would spark a broad discussion on how businesses, communities, and social groups can balance profit and social responsibility, fostering greater cooperation to support the sustainable development of the local shared value economy.
Professor Chen Yuxin delivering the opening speech
Professor Guan ChengHe, Founding Co-Director of the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Urban Design and Urban Science (LOUD) at NYU Shanghai, delivered the keynote speech on the "Case Study of Creating a ‘Climate City Community’ ." Professor Guan began by addressing the current situation of community building in China and showcased the laboratory's recent research achievements in urban sensing technologies and climate parks, covering innovations in urban mobility and visual, auditory, and neural perceptions. He suggested that "climate parks and communities" are not only a manifestation of physical space but also an extension of ideas and culture. They facilitate communication through green physical and virtual spaces and provide urban residents with a new green lifestyle. Professor Guan also used domestic and international case studies to illustrate further the vast potential of technological and conceptual innovations in promoting shared value between urban and rural areas, inspiring new thoughts on the future of urban and community development.
Professor Guan ChengHe delivering the keynote speech
In the subsequent roundtable discussion on "Localization Paths for B Corps," Mr. Jaff Shen, Executive Chair of the Lepin Foundation and Chair of B Corp China, led a lively discussion with Ms. Cathey Chen, Head of Internal Communication & Sustainability, Danone Greater; Ms. Xia Li, Brand Director and Co-founder of Mumo; and Dr. Zhu Hui, Founder of REDO Design. The discussion centered around "the motivations behind B Corps, their impact on businesses, and their future vision." Ms. Cathey Chen shared Danone's journey to becoming a B Corp, including the "Danone Vitality Journey" and the green B Corp pathway of its popular brand "Pulse." Ms. Xia Li focused on Mumo's efforts in gathering artisans through its "Handmade Market," influencing and inspiring more like-minded individuals to join the movement and experience the spiritual healing from handcrafted work. Dr. Zhu Hui creatively demonstrated and explained a design philosophy focused on the sustainability of the economy, society, and ecology using small props. During Mr. Jaff Shen's moderation and interactive dialogue, the three guests shared their experiences from different perspectives—multinational corporations, private enterprises, and individual entrepreneurship—offering valuable insights into the shared value journey.
Mr. Jaff Shen moderating the roundtable discussion.
"Localization Paths for B Corps" roundtable discussion
In addition to B Corps, several shared value communities and networks actively participated in the forum. In the roundtable discussion on "Urban and Rural Shared Value Communities," hosted by curator and Felicity Art founder Ms. Zhong Ying, Ms. Xie Yuxue, founder of the Xuli Community; Ms. Zhou Minxiu, partner at You Good Farm Community; and Ms. Chen Shangshang, founder of MamaPro Community, shared their unique perspectives on "the benefits and challenges of shared value communities." Ms. Xie Yuxue shared Xuli's exploration and reflection on diversified shared value communities rooted in remote villages from the perspectives of "vacation, public welfare, livelihood, and employment." Ms. Zhou Minxiu spoke about young farmers working in suburban areas, connecting more people with the land. Ms. Chen Shangshang introduced MamaPro, a mutual support and learning community she established in Shanghai's Pudong, which helps working mothers decompress and empower each other through a rich variety of online and offline activities. Although the three guests are based in different regions, they each connect and benefit different groups in their way.
"Urban and Rural Shared Value Communities" roundtable discussion
At the conclusion of the forum, Professor Chen Yuxin summarized the theme of "Urban and Rural Shared Value." He mentioned that shared value, from cities to rural areas, is inseparable from a spirit of giving, as embodied in the character "ye" (野), which carries the connotation of "giving." He noted that urban and rural public welfare also stems from creativity. Whether in the bustling cities or the peaceful countryside, the power of dedication and innovation continues to drive the progress of shared value development.
Despite the cool autumn rain, the NYU Shanghai campus appeared particularly peaceful on the weekend, yet the discussions within the forum remained lively and engaging. Even after the event concluded, many attendees continued to engage in deep conversations with the guests. This forum on "Economy for the Common Good and Business Innovation" not only provided valuable insights and practical references for businesses, communities, and individuals on how to understand and practice "business for good, sharing value" but also injected fresh inspiration into NYU Shanghai's mission of nurturing future leaders with a global perspective, community spirit, and social responsibility.