What role can colleges and universities play in driving social change? How can you use your business expertise to help solve global problems in education, health, poverty or the environment?
The Ashoka U Exchange conference on social entrepreneurship, held at Duke February 25 - 27, will provide some answers.
Students and faculty from more than 50 schools will share ideas for solutions to pressing social problems. The Ashoka U Exchange, named for the global association of more than 2,500 leading entrepreneurs, is the first-ever national conference on social entrepreneurship.
Professor Greg Dees, a pioneer in the field, co-founded the Center for Advancement of Social Entrepreneurship (CASE), at the Fuqua School of Business a decade ago. He says the conference reflects growing student interest in solving social problems.
"Today's students have an inherent need to feel they're making a difference, improving the world," says Dees. "Look at the response to Teach for America on campuses across the country. That tells you something about what's sparking students. This generation has a passion for fixing problems, for being part of the solution."
A highlight of Ashoka U Exchange will be a panel of leading social entrepreneurs and academic leaders, scheduled for Friday from 4 - 8 p.m. in Fuqua's Geneen Auditorium. You can order tickets for the live event or watch it live online at TEDXashokaU.com at no charge.
Among the panelists are Maya Ajmera G'93, founder of the Global Fund for Children; Holden Thorp, chancellor of UNC-CH and co-author of Engines of Innovation; Kevin Trapani '79, CEO of The Redwoods Group; and Ashoka Fellow Paul Rice, founder of TransFair USA. Click here for a complete lineup of panelists.
Dees says the conference will be an unprecedented opportunity for students, educators and entrepreneurs to learn about new developments and innovations in the public sector.
"Some of the best thinkers and practitioners in the world will be here to share their ideas, their energy and their passion," says Dees. "We're eager to have people join us, in person or online. We think this conference is a milestone in the field of social entrepreneurship."