More about Global Enterprise Week…

Origins of GEW:

a) Rooted in Make Your Mark’s Enterprise Week.  This is a UK model, started in 2004 by the then-Chancellor Gordon Brown
b) Copied by a number of countries in 2007, including the US, China, France — it was very successful
c) So this year…. Enterprise Week is ‘going global’ with countries all over the world taking part.

Aims:

Global Entrepreneurship Week is the first worldwide celebration of enterprise.  It aims to unleash young people’s enterprising ideas to make a profit and address some of society’s biggest issues, from poverty reduction through to climate change.

The initiative has grown and gathered momentum since it was first announced in November last year. From 26 countries launching it a year ago, there are now 75 (and growing) countries on board — including organisations from every continent and corner of the earth.  Three of the last ones to sign up were Malta, Burkino Faso and Venezuela, for example.  It’s a truly global initiative.

So what will happen?

Two global signature activities – to inspire people (Unleash It, an on-line ideas bank) and to connect people (Speednetwork the Globe, an off-line interlocking set of networking events).  Plus tens of thousands of smaller-scale events happening locally, catalysed by thousands of partners worldwide. Examples are competitions, awards, networking events, schoolroom lessons from businessmen, speeches to university students.

Global Entrepreneurship Week is happening November 17 – 23, 2008, and offers you a great opportunity to apply what you’re learning through the International Gold Event — to make a difference, connect with peers around the world, and to tell the world your story. It can also be a source of ideas should you wish to get involved with the Peter Cruddas Social Enterprise Initiative.

Here are some real-life examples of things already planned: UK — ethical water competition for schools; Singapore — entrepreneurship ‘treasure-hunt’; US — online competition for creative industries; Australia — speed network at Sydney Opera House; Nairobi — music concert themed around enterprise.  Lots of activity to encourage people globally to think of entrepreneurship — and to encourage entrepreneurs to ‘think global’.

We are only six weeks away from GEW.  So why not get connected and get involved?

• Organize your own Speednetwork the Globe event for your own Awards contacts — here you can make valuable connections with your peers, and be part of a global movement of speed networkers! See www.unleashingideas.org/speednetwork
• Post a challenge or come up with entrepreneurial solutions on Unleash It! – here you can make a difference and connect and collaborate with peers around the world. See www.unleashingideas.org/unleash
• Be a Global Entrepreneurship Week “social reporter” – with a special log-in for the blog, report on activities happening in your own country. See www.unleashingideas.org/blog
• Finally, tell your networks about it; encourage them to get involved with activities; contact your national host. For more info check out www.unleashingideas.org.