Member Article

Government calls for more social entrepreneurs

Young people are being encouraged to set up their own businesses with social or environmental goals. Government ministers and social entrepreneurs came together on Social Enterprise Day yesterday to inspire young people in a series of events throughout the UK.

The events were designed to make young people aware of social enterprises and how they can benefit communities and the environment. To coincide with Social Enterprise Day, the government also announced that social enterprise will be a core part of the GCSE business studies syllabus from 2008.

Jonathan Bland, chief executive of the Social Enterprise Coalition, said: “We are extremely happy that social enterprise will definitely be a core part of the GCSE business studies syllabus from next year. We know that young people want to combine their ambition to succeed with their passion to change the world and teaching them about social enterprise at an early age gives them a real opportunity to do that.”

The government’s Make Your Mark campaign has also set up a competition that gives young entrepreneurs the chance to pitch their social enterprise ideas in 60 seconds. The competition is designed to promote and encourage young people to become involved in social enterprise. The winner will be announced tonight and given £5000 to develop the idea.

Cabinet office minister Ed Miliband believes that the interest in social enterprise around the country reflects many people’s desire to be more ethical in their choices and actions.

He said: “I want to see a new generation of social entrepreneurs inspired to dedicate themselves to a way of doing business that combines making money with having a significant positive impact on our communities and environment.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .