Proud history is made when entrepreneurs gather
Trade Aid, one of the country's highest profile social enterprises, started here in Christchurch.
OPINION: Social entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders from around the world arrive in Christchurch next week for the Social Enterprise World Forum, the biggest conference the city has hosted since the quakes.
It’s an international event for social enterprises to come together, share wisdom, build networks and discuss how to create a more sustainable future.
The great news for locals is that you don’t need to be one of the 1600 people registered for the event to hear from world-class speakers.
The Transitional City programme accompanying the forum offers free talks, more than 20 tours of locally operating social enterprises, and other events.
The forum’s theme is ‘‘Ka koroki te manu – creating our tomorrow’’, which is very fitting for Christchurch.
It’s about our future potential and our responsibility to seize it.
Social enterprises are purposedriven organisations that trade to deliver social, environmental and economic impacts. Their social mission is as core to their success as any potential profit.
Globally, social enterprise and impact investment are creating hybrid markets and new forms of entrepreneurship and capital.
People from more than 30 countries have registered for the forum. It’s an opportunity to showcase our city and the inspiring social enterprise going on here to influential people from around the world.
Christchurch’s social enterprise network was boosted by the disruption of the post-quake environment.
It’s a very diverse network, made up of people of all ages and with a wide range of interests and cultural backgrounds.
We’re a leading part of New Zealand’s social enterprise sector, which is starting to come of age as more entrepreneurs lend support and give advice.
We have a proud history of social enterprise so it isn’t surprising that Trade Aid, one of the country’s highest profile social enterprises, started here in Christchurch back in 1973.
From small beginnings the organisation now has a network of shops around the country selling handmade fair trade products produced by hundreds of thousands of small farmers and artisans around the world.
Geoff White, chief executive of Trade Aid and vice-president of the World Fair Trade Organisation, will speak on trade as a tool for international development.
It’s great to see so many young entrepreneurs coming to the fore over sustainability and social outcomes, rather than simply building a profitable business.
Christchurch’s connected, collaborative approach helps support social enterprises.
The culture of ‘‘thinking outside the box’’ that developed out of necessity from 2011 has since thrived and is something that both inspires locals and attracts people from overseas to set up shop here.
Student Volunteer Army founder Sam Johnson has built on his post-quake clean-up experience to develop WeVisit with fellow Cantabrian Dr Tyler Brummer.
The programme connects young people with the elderly and others on their own to help out and connect across generations in a way that benefits young and old.
University of Canterbury student Logan Williams is another example, working on creating biodegradable paper, plastic and fabric from the invasive freshwater algae didymo.
Another UC student, Brianne West, founded Ethique, which is dedicated to sustainable beauty practices, including products sold in compostable packaging.
Social entrepreneurs like Logan, Brianne, Sam and Tyler represent what SEWF17 is all about. They should make us all feel optimistic about our region’s and New Zealand’s future. ❚ Tom Hooper is the chief executive of ChristchurchNZ.