Exploring a new model of social entrepreneurship
In light of the recent economic downturn that has posed great challenges to the social welfare system in
"The conference aims to explore a new model of social entrepreneurship to create social capital for our community," said Dr Agnes Yeung, Head of the Division of Social Studies and Co-Chair of the conference. "In addition, ways and means of creative adaptation from international sources will be discussed, and most importantly, dialogue among the leaders of the four sectors (government, NGOs, business firms and universities) will also be established."
In her keynote speech opening the conference, "Invigorating Social Welfare through the Entrepreneurial Spirit", Mrs Carrie Lam, Director of Social Welfare HKSAR spoke on the importance of introducing competition, choice, cost-effectiveness and added-value for the welfare system in Hong Kong.Another keynote speaker, Professor James Phills, Director of Centre for Social Innovation
at Stanford University, shared his insight on the development of leadership capabilities for theSome of the more prominent speakers included Mr Darwin Chen, Vice-Chairman of Hong Kong Arts Development Council, Dr Barnett Baron, Executive Vice-President, The Asia Foundation, USA, Mr Joseph Wong, Business Director, Management and Efficiency Enhancement, Hong Kong Council of Social Service and Ms Margaret Wong, Executive Director of Harmony House.
The conference concluded with the launch of an NGO website -- http://www.npo.org.hk -- by Dr Glenn Shive, Director of Hong Kong America Centre, and an open forum where the audience was invited to comment on the day's discussion. Much of the responses were focused on the issue of funding for NGOs. Rounding up the discussion, Dr Yeung said: "I hope that the collaboration among the various sectors we have built up today will continue in the future."