Social Entrepreneurship: The Business of Positive Change

Podcast-Beschreibung

-19th Alumni Sustainability Executive Roundtable- Social Entrepreneurship: The Business of Positive Change 22 May 2008,INSEAD, Fontainebleau Campus, France. Roundtable Theme What do thriving micro-finance network promoting business development among village women in Pakistan, a physical education teacher who promotes an active lifestyle among elderly people in France, and a music producer who trains homeless AIDS orphans in Malawi to become music performance groups have in common? They are all leaders in the burgeoning and dynamic field of social entrepreneurship; committed visionaries who employ innovative business solutions to create new markets, address unmet social needs and create sustainable change in their communities and the world around them. In the 19th INSEAD Alumni Sustainability Roundtable we looked at the dynamic growth of social entrepreneurship, recent innovations in funding these ventures, and INSEAD’s own contribution to the field. Two leading figures in the field; Pamela Hartigan and Mads Kjaer, joined us for the day to present important issues related to the emergence of social entrepreneurship as a global force for positive change. The Power of Unreasonable People Pamela Hartigan was the Managing Director of the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship from its founding until March 2008. The foundation promotes and enhances social entrepreneurship in close cooperation with the World Economic Forum. It works as a catalyst for social innovation in both developing and developed countries, supporting a community of over 130 social entrepreneurs worldwide. Pamela is also co-author of the recently published “The Power of Unreasonable People: How Social Entrepreneurs Create Markets that Change the World”. She will give us an overview of social entrepreneurship, the dynamics that drive it and its ability to bring about positive social change. Innovation in Social Ventures Mads Kjaer is former CEO of the Kjaer Group A/S of Denmark. He has been working in Kjaer Group A/S since 1984 whereas the last 20 years as CEO and from August 2006 as the Chairman. Kjaer Group A/S has been awarded Denmark’s Best Workplace in 2003 and 2004 and between Europe’s 10 Best Workplaces in 2005. Mads has 20 years of business experience from emerging countries and lived in Zimbabwe, Uganda, South Africa and is the Honorary Consul for Ethiopia in Denmark. Mads co-founded MyC4 in 2005, a social venture emerging as a leader in the field of internet-based peer-to-peer funding. Mads will discuss the remarkable innovations that are reshaping the manner in which capital is made available to social entrepreneurs. Insights from the Field: Commentary from Social Entrepreneurs The challenges and impact of social entrepreneurship are best explained by the social entrepreneurs themselves. After each presentation we heart from two practitioners who offered their own experiences, insights and reflections, before the discussion was opened to the audience.