The Social Enterprise Summit was first organized in 2008 as a response to the Hong Kong community’s as well as the government’s growing interest in the cause of social entrepreneurship. As a new driving force of social change in the 21st century, social enterprises have proved to be a viable solution to social problems, an effective agent of community improvement through cross-sector actions and an important feature of modern civil society. They also offer good opportunities of investment combining business with corporate citizenship. In the past three years, the Summit has played a significant role in enhancing public awareness and understanding of the subject. In particular, it has made special endeavour to promote cross-sector dialogue and partnerships. The Summit is attracting increasing attention overseas, especially in the Greater China region.
Social Enterprise Summit 2011 will have at its anchor an International Symposium. Once again, world-renowned experts, leading local social entrepreneurs, frontline social business practitioners, academics, government representatives, NGO and business leaders and aspiring young social entrepreneurs will gather to exchange ideas and experiences. This year’s theme of “Driving Social Change through Social Business and Impact Investing” highlights the common nature, dynamics and objectives of these two pillars of social entrepreneurship.
A starter of the Summit is the Public Lecture by David Bornstein – a rare opportunity to meet the Guru of Social Innovation and should not be missed. The Summit programme will include the first ever SE Bazaar in Hong Kong, a Power Lunch for NGO leaders, a Dinner to meet leading social entrepreneurs, a range of Workshops for both young and established social entrepreneurs and Visits to local social enterprises.
The Summit is totally community-driven and has been supported by the Government, the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust and many sponsors.
社企民間高峰會於2008年創辦,當時香港特區政府及社會各界對社會企業愈見認識和重視,高峰會乃應此而立。在二十一世紀,社會企業已成為推動社會變革的重要力量,證實可以有助於解決社會問題,帶動跨界別的共同合作以促進社區發展,並成為現代公民社會的重要組成部份。社會企業的發展亦提供了良好的投資機會,成功結合商業與企業公民精神。在過去三年,高峰會在促進社會大眾對社會企業的認知扮演了重要的角色,更不斷致力於推動多界別的對話和合作。高峰會亦在海外引起了廣泛的注意,尤以在大中華地區為然。
2011年度社企民間高峰會以國際研討會為主軸,研討會將一如過去,有世界知名專家、香港社企的先驅、各種社會事業的前線工作者、學者、政府代表、非政府機構和商界的領袖、以及年青新進的社會企業家共聚一堂,達致思想與經驗的交流。今年的研討會以“社會變革新動力:社會事業與創效投資”為主題,目的在強調社會企業中的兩大支柱,在本質、動力和目標上都是共通的。
高峰會的引子之一是當今社會創新大師大衛柏恩斯坦的公開講座,這是一個極難得的機會,絕對不容錯過。高峰會其他活動將包括在香港第一次舉辦的社會企業聯展,為NGO而設的高能量午宴、傑出社會企業家對談晚宴、一系列為年青或資深社會企業家而設的工作坊以及本地社企參訪。
高峰會乃全由民間團體主導和組織,並得到香港特區政府、香港賽馬會慈善信託基金及其他機構與人士的贊助。
在今天社会企业已成为社会改革、社区改善和投资的一股强大动力。不论在先进或发展中国家,社会企业日益受到更多人士的认同,其发展潜力无可限量。
社企的最主要的特点是能够同时追求商业效益和社会目的。跨界别的参与和伙伴合作使社企成为公民社会发展的重要力量。
全港首届「社企民间高峰会」于2008年开始,10多个关注社企的公民组织及机构共同合作筹办。现时高峰会议已成为民、官、商、学在社企活动的重要交流平台,也是中国内地、香港及台湾等地区在社企问题上的最主要交流平台。
凭籍以往两年的成功经验,包括商界、社会服务机构、学界、民间智库、社会企业的多个团体将再度携手合办第三届社企民间高峰会,于2010年11月19至21日举行。而由今年开始,香港特区政府民政事务局亦将成为合办单位之一。