Paraîner les jeunes entrepreneurs

The most famous social entrepreneur today is 2006 Nobel prize winner Mohammad Yunus. Less famous, but equally inspirational are young up-coming social entrepreneurs — over 500 have so far applied under the Global Young Social Entrepreneurs’ Competition 2007 and more are doing so every day. Young women and men that have latched onto the vision of changing the world through business : business with a social or ecological twist. Given the tremendous interest, Global Knowledge Partnership (GKP) is extending the Competition deadline to 9 September 2007. The Competition is supported by GKP members UN Development Programme (UNDP), Microsoft, International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

54% of the world population is aged below 25. Many of these youths, in both developing and developed countries, are motivated by a job that not only earns them a living, but also helps make the world a better place. Social Entrepreneurship fits these criteria.
These young and up-coming social entrepreneurs are in good company — for example the company of Mohammad Yunus, the most prominent social entrepreneur these days who received the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize for his pioneering microfinance social business in Bangladesh (Grameen Bank). High-profile social entrepreneurs have also made their entry into the World Economic Forum and taken top places in awards programmes such as the World Challenge 2006.

Mohammad Yunus’ description of what a social enterprise is : "Let us suppose an entrepreneur, instead of having a single source of motivation (such as, maximizing profit), now has two sources of motivation, which are mutually exclusive, but equally compelling — a) maximization of profit and b) doing good to people and the world."
Rinalia Abdul Rahim, GKP Executive Director : "The quality of applications received to-date profile many ingenious young entrepreneurs who contribute towards a better future with new business models."

The winners receive more than just sponsorship to attend the Young Social Entrepreneurs’ Forum @ GK3, 11-13 December, Malaysia ( www.globalknowledge.org/ysef07 , www.GKPEventsontheFuture.org ). They are offered the unique opportunity to potentially secure funding, networking, mentoring and knowledge for themselves — key areas in which young social entrepreneurs need support.

Apply : www.globalknowledge.org/ysecompetition07
Eligibility : www.globalknowledge.org/ysef07/index.cfm ?etamp ;menuid=11etamp ;parentid=7
Deadline : 9 September 2007