New Media & ITC: Planting the Seeds of Social Innovation

This panel will explore the ways in which the web has bridged communities to promote sustainable development, and potential ways in which the web can more effectively do so.

Sustainable Business Models:  Beyond CSR

This panel will explore how organizations and social entrepreneurs can integrate social, environmental and economic measures to their bottom line by looking at the current value chain propositions of their respective business models.

Social Entrepreneurs of the Future

Despite their talent, and the change they bring to the society, social entrepreneurs from developing countries are often not recognized. Local people, including those living in rural areas, know their needs and the environment in which they live, and do not lack entrepreneurial skills. One of the issues in this context is how to support and develop the existing local entrepreneurial skills. Education is therefore not only a basic human right, but it is also a powerful tool to foster poverty reduction and social change.

Scaling Up: Growing Grassroots Business

With discussion between prominent business growth experts and representatives of businesses/organizations that have scaled successfully, this panel will address the practical elements and ongoing challenges of business growth. This session will analyze the organizational capacities that are critical during the scaling process for social enterprises. Specifically, it will deal with the seven areas of scaling capacities:  Mission, structure, model, culture, data, resources, and leadership.

Social Financing: The Roots of Social Change

Inspired by the desire to have a greater positive social impact, investors are breaking from their traditional investment perspective.  The emerging field of social financing blends the role of donor and investor, allowing investors to use their investments to bring about social change, while still seeing returns. This panel will serve to address questions surrounding the funding of social businesses. Panelists with extensive experience in funding, from both sides of the coin, will discuss best practices and practical advice for receiving funding as well as evaluating and determining excellent social investment opportunities.

Q&A: Meet the Director of Garbage Dreams

Here’s your chance to meet  Mai Iskander, the director of the critically acclaimed, Garbage Dreams.  Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to ask Ms. Iskander your burning questions about how she captured the phenomenal tale of two boys who changed the world, and the struggles they had to endure along the way.