Tour

With entrepreneurial spirit against poverty and social marginalisation

“I am convinced that we can create a world without poverty, if we all believe that it is possible.”   

Professor Muhammad Yunus

  

Social exclusion, destitution, poverty. Not only people in the developing world and emerging countries have these problems. They are also increasingly prevalent among us – in Central and Eastern Europe. “17% of Europeans don’t have the means to meet their most basic needs,” according to a recent statement by the EU Commission. We are of the firm conviction that new and innovative approaches are needed to take this situation firmly in hand – in the interest of disadvantaged people and to create an economically and politically stable Europe that is prepared to face the future.

Social business is an economic concept developed by the Nobel Prize Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus that has enormous potential in this regard. The Social Business Tour 2010, which takes place under the patronage of Prof. Yunus, will create a powerful initiative for a long term social business initiative in Central and Eastern Europe and make a significant contribution to the 2010 European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. In short, we want a breakthrough in this region too, a breakthrough for the pioneering and forward-looking idea that social problems can be consistently solved by implementation of entrepreneurial strategies and innovative business models.

In order for this dream to succeed we need interested, motivated, and enthusiastic people from the most diverse personal and professional backgrounds, people who will have a multiplier effect, help shape opinion, and take up the struggle. In other words, we need you! We invite you to join us and take part in the Social Business Tour. The Social Business Days will take place in the Twin City Vienna-Bratislava, in Prague, in Budapest, Belgrade, and Bucharest. During this time you will gain comprehensive knowledge of the social business concept. Together we will develop ideas for social businesses to help solve social problems endemic to our region. We want you to work with other exciting participants to create a strong social business initiative network. It goes without saying that we want to and that we will give aid and support to developing projects and initiatives on a long term basis.

Are you ready for the journey?
Then come along! Below you will find links for further information on the various stages of The Social Business Tour 2010.

→ Vienna and Bratislava: 11 and 12 May, 2010 (Kick-off of The Social Business Tour 2010)

→ Budapest: July 7th and October 5th, 2010 

→ Belgrade:  October 30th, 2010