The conference plenary opened with a welcome and overview of the meeting by Hans Wahl, Executive Director INSEAD’s Social Entrepreneurship Programme. It was followed by Professor Tom Begley, Dean of UCD’s Smurfit School of Business who provided a local welcome and brief talk on the important role a business school plays in addressing social issues that surround them. The session was completed by Lynda Stopford, of Social Entrepreneurs Ireland and member of the ISEP Alumni Network from 2007.
A plenary session featured an introduction to the development of Social Entrepreneurship: The Irish Context Seán Coughlan
CEO, Social Entrepreneurs Ireland introduced by Janet Knox, of NFTE and also and a 2007 ISEP Alumni Network. This session was followed by a stunning keynote speech by Ashoka’s first Irish social entrepreneur, Caroline Casey, CEO Aisling Foundation: It was entitled “No is not an option!: An Irish Social Entrepreneur’s Story” and made a case for the valuation and professionalisation of the sector as well as the recognition for the deep motivation that brings rise the the work. Ms Casey was introduced by Paul O'Hara, Country Director of Ashoka Ireland.
A morning round of discussion groups was structured along issue areas being addressed by social entrepreneurs. Each was designed to promote and exchange experiences and expertise among the leading local and global social entrepreneurs who challenge existing systems, ways of doing things, and providing innovative alternatives. Each group sought to identify challenges, best practices and make recommendations for work in their field. The groups included discussion on:
- Young People & Education
- Mental Health & Physical Wellbeing
- Social Inclusion for Marginalised & Disadvantaged Groups
- The Environment & Sustainability
- Social Entrepreneurship & the Arts
- Working in a Global Community & Learning Journeys
Participants engaged in lively networking following this session and over lunch that promoted and exchange and experiences.
The afternoon began with a plenary session on scaling up social ventures presented by Prof. Filipe Santos, Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship at INSEAD and Academic Director of its Social Entrepreneurship Initiative who used a panel of local and international social entrepreneurs to examine issues surrounding efforts to scale up social enterprises. Santos drew out practical lessons from real experiences and develop a framework for successful scaling.
Afternoon panels followed the same format as those in the morning but focused on organisational issues of social enterprises. Topics included:
- Creating and Building a Thriving Social Venture from the Start
- Developing Hybrid Business models
- Leveraging Community and Corporate Partnerships
- Financing and Fundraising
- Getting and Keeping Top Talent in a Social Venture
The day was completed with brief reports from the afternoon discussion groups, a summary of the key ideas, thoughts and innovations that emerged through the discussion groups, networking and previous session and a challenge to maintain a strong network along side the growth of this programme.
To close the days events the Smurfit School hosted a reception for the participating Irish and international social entrepreneurs who attended.
Reports of the discussion groups are being submitted and edited into a single report and will be made available on this web site.
Saturday, 7 June was devoted to a special meeting for ISEP alumni. A morning session was facilitated by Carol Conway and focused on defining and sustaining the dynamic nature of the ISEP network and a overview of the plans being developed. An afternoon session was led by Dr. Lea Esterhuizen, Head of research at UnLtd and was designed to examine some innovative approaches to impact assessment, the principles involved, and new tools to apply to this essential aspect of the work of social entrepreneurs.
Click to go to:
Photo Gallery
Discussion Group reports
