Power of Innovation – To Change the World

“We need to use the power of technology and the creative power of young people. By combining these together you can solve these problems. It’s possible!” ~ Professor Muhammad Yunus, 2006 Nobel Peace Prize Winner

We live in extraordinary times. Financial crises and economic crises are looming large in many parts of the world. Social problems are prevailing in developing countries, as well as developed countries with the only major distinction that the type of social problem differs across countries.

But we also live in extraordinary, exciting times. Today our generations are the most powerful of any generation in history. We have the capabilities and the technology to overcome any of the social problems that have not been solved yet. Young people, in particular, all around the globe are better connected than ever before. The power of technology enables access to information of any type, and also enables communication in even far away, remote places. Moreover, there is a strong and ever-growing desire of young people to change the world for the better.

Social business is a wonderful vehicle to make this change happen. People can bring in all their creativity and passion to develop social business ideas that can really make an impact in people’s lives. Many people have already started their own social business initiatives and have come up with beautiful solutions we never thought about. You can become part of this change and make your contribution for a better planet.

4^th Global Social Business Summit in Vienna

In 2006, the Norwegian Nobel Committee jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in Peace to Professor Yunus and Grameen Bank “for their efforts to create economic and social development from below.” Since then, Professor Yunus has focused on spreading and implementing the principles of social business—solving social problems while staying financially self-sustainable. He has founded 50 companies including The Grameen Creative Lab (GCL).

GCL is designed to accelerate the social business movement, in collaboration with an international network of talented and dedicated young professionals, entrepreneurs, companies, NGOs, governments, universities and others. Many international corporations are picking up the idea of social business: there are joint ventures and initiatives between Grameen and companies like Danone, BASF SE, Veolia Water, Uniqlo, Intel Corporation, Schneider Electric, SAP, McCain and Adidas. And there are even more beautiful grassroots social business initiatives like Dialogue in the Dark, integrating the blind in the world of work or the social business fashion label Mammú, supporting single parents with flexible working conditions and training.

For the 4^th time, Professor Yunus and GCL are hosting the Global Social Business Summit in November, providing an amazing platform for everyone interested into social business to establish connections with like-minded individuals through a range of opportunities for networking. It is the leading forum for social business worldwide and brings you together with experts from corporations, civil society, governments and academia. The diversity of participant’s from all around the world is vital to its unique atmosphere.

Will you dare to change the world – to make it a better place?

Social Business – Do it with Joy!