After starting in Edinburgh 10 years ago, the Social Enterprise World Forum returns to the Scottish capital this year, from the 12th to the 14th of September, with the aim to gather over 1000 delegates coming from tens of countries around the world. Practitioners, investors, policymakers, social entrepreneurs, community leaders, activists, academics and more from all across the globe will gather in Edinburgh to share insights and learn from the example of Scotland, that has a vibrant social enterprise scene.
The Social Enterprise World Forum is an international event for social enterprises from all over the world to come together, share wisdom, build networks and explore how to create a more sustainable future.
So far the Forum has visited nine countries. Last year it was in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Peter Holbrook, CEO, Social Enterprise UK, said: «Right now you can see how communities are organising themselves to take control of public services, of green spaces, of crises like housing. In Scotland social enterprises play a vital role in both the economy and civil society».
This tenth anniversary will mark the occasion to think about the evolution of social enterprises in the last decade and to develop a common vision for the future.
The very first Social Enterprise World Forum Academic Symposium, Social Enterprise Research, Teaching and Engagement, will be held at Glasgow Caledonian University on Monday 10th and Tuesday 11th September 2018, prior to the main Social Enterprise World Forum 2018 in Edinburgh. «The key role of universities in the transformation of societies has long been acknowledged, and there are many examples of universities engaging with, supporting, and learning from, social enterprises to develop and transform communities throughout the world», the website observes.
«Returning to Edinburgh after 10 years, we have a unique opportunity to reflect on how the social enterprise movement has progressed in the last decade. We will develop a common vision for the next ten years, building on the remarkable interest in social enterprise as a sustainable business model».
You can read here the programme of the Social Enterprise World Forum.
Opening picture: Unsplash
