‘Breakthrough Ideas To Reinvent The World…’

A reader has advised us of Social Alchemy’s free public forum this Wednesday 14 November, in Sydney. This forum is to build networks with other innovative leaders and develop a better understanding of social innovation… Social Alchemy aims to empower communities and change lives.

What Is Social Innovation?

“pattern-changing new ideas that meet pressing unmet social needs…”

Why Does It Matter?

Economists estimate that 50-80% of economic growth comes from innovation and new knowledge.

Although there are no reliable metrics, innovation appears to play an equally decisive role in social progress.

Social innovation plays a decisive role in economic growth through improving community wellbeing, measured as the sum of social cohesion and economic prosperity.

14 November Forum Details

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS:

• Martin Stewart-Weeks, Cisco Systems
• Justin Glass, Whitelion
• Leavina Reid, Bawrunga Aboriginal Medical Service.

WHERE:

• Coles Theatre, Powerhouse Museum, Sydney
• Wednesday, 14 November 2007, 1-5 pm.

Limited Space Available – RSVP to matt.jones@fusemail.com

August 2007 Forum

Earlier this year Social Alchemy hosted a forum to ‘unpack’ ideas around social enterprise with a focus on youth, enterprise and Indigenous affairs to allow a more broad base understanding creating the necessary enabling environment for further activity.

This forum introduced a fresh approach to an idea that has been demonstrated to make enormous difference in UK in both economic prosperity and social cohesion.

Social enterprise is best understood as a hybrid commercial model that blends economic and social value creation. Social enterprise has two key characteristics:

• Does not measure success on profit alone, unlike traditional business
• Operates in pursuit of a social or environmental purpose.

Key note speakers included John Pearce, UK author of Social Enterprise in Anytown, and Damian Ferrie, Executive Director, Community Programs & Volunteering, Department for Victorian Communities, with local experts providing input during plenary sessions.

For more info you can read Matt Jones’ 2005 Churchill Fellowship report examining successful models of social enterprise through UK and USA or you can email Matt matt.jones@fusemail.com or phone him 0438 007 770