Social Enterprise: Change in the Place of Dollars!
Social Enterprise: Change in the Place of Dollars!
By Timothy Vassallo
Social Enterprise is not a new concept or phrase, but it has become a part of the media ‘buzz word’ compendium as of late. Much like the hoopla around other buzz words, social enterprise means something different to almost everyone who hears the phrase. However, much like discussions about education and poverty, it is not a bad thing for the topic to be on the tips of many tongues.
Social Enterprise, or Social Entrepreneurship, represents a paradigm shift in business as it puts the focus on the social benefits derived from the business venture as opposed to profit. Now, that is not to say that a social enterprise need not be fiscally responsible. In fact, the long-term viability of the venture is directly related to the self-sustaining nature of a social enterprise. The best of these ‘social entrepreneurs’ take all the same risk as regular entrepreneurs while they are facilitating positive change. The goal of a social entrepreneur is to create a product or service that allows them to be self-sufficient as well as make the world a better place.
The Centre for Entrepreneurship Education and Development (CEED) has been changing the entrepreneurial landscape of Nova Scotia since its inception more than 20 years ago. The lives of thousands of Nova Scotians have been positively impacted through CEED’s multifaceted mandate, from small business training and financing to entrepreneurially-based interventions for priority youth in conflict with the law, as well as in experiential in-class workshops for Nova Scotia public school students. Recognizing the need for increased community engagement with respects to Social Enterprises, CEED has collaborated with a diverse suite of partners, such as Mount Saint Vincent University Business Department and the Norman Newman Centre for Entrepreneurship at Dalhousie University, to develop Social Enterprise for a Day (SE4D).
SE4D will bring students from Dalhousie University, Mount Saint Vincent University, Nova Scotia Community College, and Halifax Regional Municipality High Schools together to create and implement a social enterprise over the course of one weekend. Volunteers from local community development agencies, social enterprises, and educational institutions will team up with participating students to help create each social enterprise and assist in making this event a multi-dimensional educational opportunity for all. As well, through CEED’s Youth Employability Project and Education Portfolio’s outreach, many of HRM’s priority youth will participate in the SE4D Weekend as a means to engage a diverse range of individuals in this important dialogue.
The SE4D, scheduled for February 3rd and 4th, 2012, will serve to inspire, educate and motivate both the participants and facilitators alike. If you are a representative of a locally-owned social enterprise and wish to participate as a volunteer, or have a media inquiry, feel free to contact Meghan Cadue at MCadue@ceed.ca. Join the discussion and be part of the change you seek!
http://www.se4d.ca/
“Social entrepreneurs are not content just to give a fish or teach how to fish. They will not rest until they have revolutionized the fishing industry.” Bill Drayton (Ashoka Founder)
