In an interview, Leon Toh, a Singaporean investor known for his innovative methods of socially responsible investing, revealed some of the secrets behind his success: a creative approach that combines profit and socially useful work and turns every investment into a step towards a better world, not only in the financial sense but also through concrete social and environmental changes.
Innovative solutions for centuries-old problems
The interview began with a few short questions: Why does poverty still exist? Why does it exist if there are Governments? Why does it exist if there are non-governmental and humanitarian organizations? Why does it exist if there are big businesses?
“Solving the issue of poverty does not imply simple answers such as those that the poor and homeless should only be given money. The mere act of charity will not help them,” said Leon at the beginning of the interview.
“When you’re homeless, psychologically you have the freedom to do whatever you want, be wherever you want, that’s how they perceive freedom. When you find a homeless person an apartment and a job, they have to completely adjust their lifestyle and now they have a job that requires them to be in a certain place from 9 to 5, they have to show up on time, they have to have discipline, they have to completely change their way of thinking. Even when you receive a monthly income, you have to apply to state agencies and prove that you are looking for a job. This is not a problem in itself, but we should not forget that many of them have mental health problems. Many studies have shown that many people become homeless again even after receiving an apartment from the state,” Leon explained.
He realized that in solving the problem of homelessness it is not enough to just provide material resources such as housing. He learned that the main cause of the problem is deep-rooted mental health challenges that affect the behavior and thinking of individuals. He also emphasized the importance of creating a space that people can truly consider their home, and not just provide them with a physical roof over their heads.
Impressions from BiH
“When I was a scholarship holder in Italy in 2005 or 2006, I was a student of United World Colleges (UWC). Before UWC got offices in Mostar, the week I had reserved for projects, I worked in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH),” he stated.
He explained that they had a team that went to Sarajevo while his project was in Mostar. Part of the Mostar project included running a program that dealt with youth engagement.
“I have to be honest and say that I was not the one who brought some grandiose changes to the young people in Mostar, but they did change me,” he emphasized.
During that period, his hosts were a family on the western side of Mostar, and he singles out one of the most outstanding memories when the father of the family took him to the place where the Old Bridge in Mostar was demolished.
“I remember with what pain he spoke about that place and the symbol that the Old Bridge represented as such. The story of the conflict is one thing, but when you see the consequences of it in person, it completely changes your perspective on life. I come from a country that is quite safe and peaceful so I was deeply affected by the things I saw. I realized the true cost of freedom and peace. I realized that that war made some people fight for things that they themselves didn’t believe in,” Leon concluded, Forbes reports.
E.Dz.
