Published: Wednesday, 03 February, 2016 04:40 PM
XLRI Hosted ‘8th National Conference on Social Entrepreneurship’
The 3-day long ‘National Conference on Social Entrepreneurship (NCSE)’ recently concluded at XLRI-Xavier School of Management. The 8th edition of NCSE themed on “Social Innovations: Changing Lives and Society” witnessed around 150 social entrepreneurs, development sector professionals, academicians and students share their experiences, issues and challenges and discussed on building social entrepreneurship ecosystem.
The inaugural session was graced by Padmashree Prof Anil Gupta, Executive Vice-Chairman, National Innovation Foundation & Founder Honey Bee Network and Professor in the Centre of Management in Agriculture, IIM A with Fr. E. Abraham S.J, Director, XLRI and Prof. Madhukar Shukla, Chairperson- Fr Arrupe Center for Ecology & Sustainability, XLRI.
Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Gupta stressed on the need for grass-root innovators, the need to empower them, recognize social entrepreneurs and reward them by safeguarding their interests. He talked about his idea on social entrepreneurship and the qualities of an ideal social entrepreneur - daring, innovative and focusing on the grass root levels. He pointed out that how every problem had a solution and his belief that the ability to find a way out of tight spots is something an entrepreneur should possess. In his address, Prof. Gupta also dwelt on the embedded mindsets and challenges that the social entrepreneur will face and how to tackle it.
Welcoming the delegates, Fr. Abraham, Director, XLRI said that despite remarkable increase in resources and GDP growth, the benefit of development have not yet reached large sections of the society.
The conference also deliberated upon the ways on ‘Educating and empowering rural India’ and advocated dialogue on social development. Mr. Ajith Basu, Chief Program Executive, Agastya International, Mrs. Lisa Heydlauff, Founder and Director, Going to School, Mr. Pankaj Jain, Gyan Shala and Mr. Venkat from E- Vidyaloka with Prof. Sharad Sarin, XLRI as the moderator participated in a panel discussion. The panelists discussed on social education and the various models to achieve it.
Prof. Madhukar Shukla, the coordinator for the conference commented, “With this conference we aim to provide a platform for showcasing, knowledge sharing and building a social entrepreneurship ecosystem. It is a significant aspect of XLRI’s mission to advance management education with a social conscience and to propagate dialogue on social development.”
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