Young Social Entrepreneurs Competition – A New Approach to Business

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YSEI07 And GKP logos

The Youth Social Enterprise Initiative (YSEI) is an on-going Global Knowledge Partnership (GKP) programme. Competition is part of GKP's ongoing programme in the area of youth-led social enterprises. It is fully web-based and open to applicants worldwide until the (extended) closing on 9 September 2007. 100 winners selected by an international online jury will be announced on 20 October 2007.

Developed by GKP members MITRA, OrphanIT, TakingITGlobal, International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and Thai RuralNet (TRN), and managed by TRN, YSEI is supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and UNESCO.

YSEI promotes the idea of social entrepreneurship among youths and empowers young social entrepreneurs in developing countries by providing assistance in the 4 key areas - knowledge, networking, mentorhsip and financing.

YSEI Fellows 2006 come from Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and the Philippines. These young and up-coming social entrepreneurs from all around the globe are in good company – for example the company of Mohammad Yunus, the most prominent social entrepreneur these days who received the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize for his pioneering microfinance social business in Bangladesh (Grameen Bank). But high-profile social entrepreneurs have also made their entry into the World Economic Forum and taken top places in awards programmes such as the World Challenge 2006. They all testify to the increased interest in the concept of social business over the last years, resulting in the coining of the term ‘social enterprise’.

What exactly is a social enterprise? Mohammad Yunus in his Nobel Lecture said: “Let us suppose an entrepreneur, instead of having a single source of motivation (such as, maximizing profit), now has two sources of motivation, which are mutually exclusive, but equally compelling - a) maximization of profit and b) doing good to people and the world.”

Rinalia Abdul Rahim, Executive Director of the GKP Secretariat, says: “The quality of applications received to date indicates that there are a lot of ingenious, innovative young entrepreneurs who are contributing towards a better future with new business models. With our support, they can go a long way”. All submissions are viewable by the public.

The Competition is part of GKP’s ongoing programme in the area of youth-led social enterprises. It is fully web-based and open to applicants worldwide until the (extended) closing on 9 September 2007. 100 winners selected by an international online jury will be announced on 20 October 2007.

The winners receive more than just sponsorship to attend the dedicated Young Social Entrepreneurs’ Forum, 11-13 December 2007, at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Malaysia . In true entrepreneurial spirit, they are presented with the unique opportunity to potentially secure funding, networking, mentoring and knowledge for themselves – key areas in which young social entrepreneurs need support, especially in their early years. 10 of the winners will pitch for secure funding in real-time sessions. All 100 winners will meet various funding organisations, mentors, experts, potential partners or the media; be part of a crowd of innovative and motivated young social entrepreneurs; network and showcase with the 2000 participants of the larger GKP Event on the Future (GK3) – of which the Forum is a special highlight.

The Competition is supported by GKP members UN Development Programme (UNDP), Microsoft, International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

Apply online at: http://www.globalknowledge.org/ysecompetition07

Application criteria: http://www.globalknowledge.org/ysef07/index.cfm?&menuid=11&parentid=7

Submissions to-date: http://www.globalknowledge.org/ysef07/index.cfm?&menuid=10&parentid=7

Deadline: 9 September 2007

For further information:
YSE Forum
11-13 December 2007, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Malaysia www.globalknowledge.org/ysef07

Global Knowledge Partnership (GKP)
Organiser
http://www.globalknowledge.org

Youth Social Enterprise Initiative (YSEI)
GKP Programme in the area of young social entrepreneurs
http://www.ysei.org, http://www.futureshifters.net

Media Contacts:
Ms Gabriele Siegenthaler
Lead, Young Social Entrepreneurs’ Forum @ GK3
\n gabriele@gkps.org.my This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
Phone +60 3 2162 3000
Mobile +60 17 22 67 302
Fax +60 3 2162 2823

Mr Anthony David
Coordinator, Young Social Entrepreneurs’ Forum @ GK3
\n anthony@gkps.org.my This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
Phone +60 3 2162 3000
Mobile +60 12 228 0395
Fax +60 3 2162 2823

About GKP

Global Knowledge Partnership (GKP) is the world’s leading international multi-stakeholder network committed to harnessing the potential of knowledge, and information and communication technologies (ICT) for sustainable and equitable development. GKP brings together public sector agencies, private sector companies, civil society organisations and international institutions to Share Knowledge and Build Partnerships that promote innovation and advancement in the areas of Knowledge for Development (K4D) and Information and Communication Technologies for Development (ICT4D).

GKP activities and programmes address development opportunities and challenges within four strategic themes – Access to Knowledge, Education, Poverty Reduction and Resource Mobilisation. Through GKP, organisations across sectors share their experience, ideas and solutions to unleash the potential of knowledge and ICT to improve lives, reduce poverty and empower people.

With over 100 members the GKP membership spans all continents. Working together, GKP members increase their organisational prominence to influence policy at a global level as well as to secure more opportunities for spreading the benefits of K4D and ICT4D initiatives. GKP is governed by an elected Executive Committee and is supported by a Secretariat based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

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