Social Enterprise World Forum to highlight Highlands and Islands

Innovative social enterprises in the Highlands and Islands will be highlighted at the Social Enterprise World Forum opening at Edinburgh Castle next week.

The five-day event is being part-sponsored by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), and John Watt, director of strengthening communities will give a presentation at the opening ceremony on Tuesday, September 2.

 Delegates will get the opportunity to visit some of the most exciting enterprises in Shetland, Mull and Moray during a series of study visits around Scotland.

HIE is recognised world-wide as being an active supporter in the establishment and growth of rural social enterprise, and Mr Watt will outline the unique characteristics of the region, describing its geography and cultural features.

The Social Enterprise World Forum emerged from national social enterprise support agencies seeking a means for social enterprises to collaborate to advance development throughout the world.

 The forum will be the first international gathering of practitioners and support agencies dealing exclusively with social enterprise bringing together leaders and champions from all continents to collaborate, share best practice and plan future developments. More than 400 delegates will attend from 30 different countries around the world.

The inaugural event is being organised by Community Enterprise in Scotland (CEiS) - an organisation set up 20 years ago to support and finance social enterprises.

During the three-day forum, participants will examine the conditions needed for social enterprises to thrive, highlighting outstanding examples from around the globe and analysing the challenges of the changing world and local markets.

The theme of 'working together for a sustainable future' runs through the entire Social Enterprise World Forum, examining how and when social enterprises thrive, engaging delegates in action planning to meet common challenges and opportunities.

"HIE has long been an advocate of community and social development and is keen to see it evolve," says Mr Watt. "Social enterprise is a movement which we strongly encourage, and the sector is flourishing with support from the Scottish Government and HIE. The contribution the sector makes to the lives of people in the Highlands and Islands is significant and research suggests it is as important to the area as tourism."

 Chris Higgins, head of the culture and third sector team at HIE will chair workshops focusing on rural communities. He said: "Thriving and dynamic communities are at the heart of rural and urban regeneration. Economically, culturally and environmentally effective community development and social enterprises are essential elements of life in Scotland today."

The conference next week will raise awareness of social enterprise as an expanding global mechanism for social change and will explore the merit of ongoing joint working for key stakeholders.

 As well as hearing from representatives of HIE, Jim McFarlane, MD Operations of Scottish Enterprise, will speak about Scotland as a business environment outlining how a strong social enterprise sector complements the growth and development plans of Scottish Enterprise.

To view other speakers and for further information on The Social Enterprise World Forum go to www.ceis.org.uk.