Social Enterprise Summit 2018 International Symposium Concludes

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Record-high 3,200 participants from civic organisations, the business sector, the Government and academia

(24 November 2018, Hong Kong) The 11 Social Enterprise Summit International Symposium (“SES 2018”), concluded today with the announcement of a first SES Academic Forum Report and two Ashoka Fellows appointments in Hong Kong. This year, the three-day SES 2018 International Symposium attracted a record number of more than 3,200 participants, a 7% increase over that of last year.

Group Dialogue

Kiran Bir SETHI was the concluding keynote speaker of the SES 2018 International Symposium. She is the founder of Design for Change, the world's largest movement for changing children’s lives, which now operates in 61 countries and is impacting over 2.2 million children and 65,000 teachers.  At her address to the delegates, she calls for the education practice of “FIDS – feel/imagine/do/share” so that children will develop to become innovative leaders with character, passion and compassion who would be doing good and doing well.

The introduction of a first SES Academic Forum this year attracted over a hundred academia, students and public taking part in a vigorous debate on whether social entrepreneurship can solve all social problems with the motion for getting more support from the floor, the discussion at this Forum will lead to the write up of a first SES Academic Forum report to be released early in 2019.

Mrs Rebecca Yung, Chair of the Organising Committee of the Social Enterprise Summit, said, "We are delighted to hear the announcement of the first two Ashoka Fellows in Hong Kong in conjunction with the establishment of an Ashoka office here as the base for Asia.”  Ashoka has for more than 35 years rigorously select and introduce life-long fellowship to member who is committed to championing new patterns of social good.  David Yeung of Green Monday and Scott Stiles of Fair Employment Agency are the two Ashoka Fellows recently appointed.

Other highlights from the 20+ topical discussions include:

  • The shaping of a vision for All businesses to become social business or business with social missions in the long run.
  • A strong focus on Impact Investment and evaluation of the Social Impact Bond from the business, finance, social sectors and governmental bodies with examples from the Asia region
  • Danone Aqua speaker Ms Corine Tap reveals Indonesia’s First 100% Recycled Plastic Bottle, her talk attracted strong interest to reduce plastic pollution, some delegates also suggest her return to share this case example with the industries and government.
Group Photo of Social Enterprise Summit 2018

The three-day SES 2018 International Symposium, held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, invited over 60 international and local speakers to contribute to 20 seminars, two workshops and thematic sessions, three keynotes, and a Concluding Session with Full Audience. The theme "Innovating for a Happier Society" was also making it a first inclusion of children’s participation from the youngest age of five.  Delegates from civic organisations, the business sector, the Government and academia exchanged ideas on four tracks, Harvest for Good Business, the Art of Design Innovation, Pursue Sustainable Goals and Promote Empowerment through employment, education and social inclusion.