Peking University, Nov. 3, 2012: Stephen Bourne, president of Cambridge University Press, delivered a speech themed on social enterprises and role of entrepreneurs in the new world econony file.

Born and educated in Africa, Mr. Bourne owed much of his later understanding of enterprises’ social responsibilities to the life there. When he was little, his father, who is one of the two heroes he has in his life, told him, “Look after the people around you, and they will look after you.” They fulfilled such goal of taking care of the people by offering education for both boys and girls in their small village to ensure that everyone learned. And their endeavor received good return from the Africans. This was the start of his reckoning helping people as normal and common in all communities, such as India and China where he later worked.

“Helping people who are less fortunate than you is always the right thing to do. Though the second largest economic entity, China is still an emerging country with poverty-stricken areas and peasants in desperate need of help,” said he.

Like Mr. Bourne himself, Cambridge University Press also committed itself in serving the society in educational and academic areas. Besides the schools and free universities run by Cambridge University Press in less developed regions, actual support are provided to the students, such as shoes, clothes and reading materials.

Mr. Bourne stressed the significance of such help in South Africa. Workers in the vineyards are living in poor conditions and sometimes they are even paid in wine. Instead of selling that for money, they drink it. As the result of excessive drinking, their children are born with mental problems which put them in an even more disadvantageous situation where no one cares about the poor education they receive.

Compared with such specific support, what they offered in India benefits more in a broader sense. Since the price of books in India is usually only 10% of that in Britain, Cambridge University Press cut the prices of their books for Indians to afford. In African countries like Uganda, such aid is extended to the making and distribution of non-profitable books aiming at education on languages of different tribes.

When asked about the future trends of reading, Mr. Bourne pointed out that digital reading will eventually replace printed materials. He estimated that in the year 2020, 60% of Cambridge Press University customers will favor digital materials over printed books. The total transition will happen in 2050. Cambridge Press University’s social responsibility is to find the balance between people’s doubt about digital reading and the inevitable transition. “In a word, what we are about to do is to promote digital reading while providing printed books on demand,” Mr. Bourne explained.

In the end, Mr. Bourne shared with us his opinion of Beijing Forum 2012. He considers it a well-organized forum with an interesting yet difficult theme—harmony. Beijing Forum is a platform where various views are presented, as well as a good opportunity to call public attention to such cutting-edge issues through media. “Do I want to come back next year? Absolutely,” Mr. Bourne said with a smile, “because it’s so great.”

Reported by: Li Chiyang

Edited by: Zhang Jiang