NESsT will host the Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF) – Fórum Mundial de Negócios Sociais in October 2012 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with a focus on the theme of “impact investing.” The most recent issue of SEWF media partner America’s Quarterly examines this growing asset class in more detail, asking whether this development trend du jour is the Next Big Thing?

According to its proponents, private investment for both profit and social good holds the promise of unlocking billions to address the problems of poverty and inequality. To others it’s just another fad. Antony Bugg-Levine of the Nonprofit Finance Fund and Jed Emerson of ImpactAssets look at the relationship between philanthropy and profit and the need for overhauling regulatory frameworks. Jonathan Morduch of the Financial Access Initiative cautions that microfinance holds some tough lessons in how to make investments sustainably target the poor, and Katie Grace and David Wood of the Initiative for Responsible Investment at Harvard University explain why governments need to play a role in facilitating investment. The issue also includes a “Charticle” offering a how-to guide on impact investment.