Discussion of the opportunities and challenges of social entrepreneurship in Almaty

The purpose of the conference - discussion of the concept of social entrepreneurship , exchange of experience and the creation of opportunities for participants to present success stories and exchange ideas concerning innovations, trends and challenges in the field of social entrepreneurship .

The conference participants (many of them - social entrepreneurs or intend to open a social business) made ​​presentations, seminars, plenary sessions, discussions and various social projects.

"Social entrepreneurship - is the ability to integrate the business model of a successful company with a social model for solving specific problems of the society" - said the representative of the company "Chevron" Leila Aytmuhanova.

"We hope that this conference will help stimulate the development of social entrepreneurship in Kazakhstan and to strengthen links between social entrepreneurs , community organizations, business and government ," - said Rowan Kennedy , project manager affiliate program of the British Council in Kazakhstan, "Newton - Al- Farabi".

President of Almaty Management University Assylbek Kozhahmetov, speaking about the importance of the conference , noted that social entrepreneurship differs from a charity or social responsibility, " Peter Drucker (founder of the theory of business - auth.) said:" If you think that the purpose of business is profit , then you have to assume that the purpose of human life is a breath . Sure, profit, alike oxygen is a tool without which you can not live. But in fact, the purpose of business is always a passion, an interest - social, patriotic, personal. If we talk about the difference between charity and social enterprise, there is a huge difference. Charity  is a modern form of medieval indulgences. Business in unburdensome  way avoids having to be socially responsible, to think about the good of society more globally. In the case of social entrepreneurship you invest not only money you contribute your heart and soul. We are not against charity, per se, but the right, responsible approach, in my view - it is when you share your heart, hands and the volunteers".

The conference adopted a resolution, in particular, it was decided to:

• unite forces / strengthen the coordination of key stakeholders in the development of the joint venture (donors, government bodies and NGOs);
• expand the assistance from corporate donors, including non-financial support, such as mentoring, providing jobs in the company, pro-bono advice and etc.
• consider AlmaU laboratory on social entrepreneurship as a methodological platform to identify and discuss the main criteria of social entrepreneurship in Kazakhstan, carrying out activities and studies in the field of social entrepreneurship, development of case studies on successful social entrepreneurship;
• invest in development of the Kazakh experts, trainers , academics and researchers in the field of the social entrepreneurship;
• recommend to banks and development institutions to develop financial products focused on the needs of social entrepreneurs .

http://www.almau.edu.kz/en/news/11068

 http://www.almau.edu.kz/en/news/10178