The China Social Enterprise and Social Investment Forum (CSESIF) was founded by 17 prominent social enterprises and foundations to promote developments in social entrepreneurship. China Development Brief, as one of the media partners of CSESIF, attended its first forum, held in Shenzhen on June 18-19.
At the forum Xu Yongguang, Chairman of the board of the Narada Foundation, pointed out that social enterprises in China have reached a critical point. In five years, according to his speech, the market of social investment will grow to 20-30 trillion yuan as a result of high market demand and a supply shortage. He predicts the government will encourage more social investment to stimulate China’s domestic economy as it’s growth slows down. At the event, Cliff Prior, CEO of UnLtd UK, also gave a talk that introduced his experience in helping establish a global social enterprise network. UnLtd UK operates a unique program that gives assistance to start-up social enterprises as well as giving out awards to outstanding social entrepreneurs. Wei Huang, the founder of Design Success, delivered a speech titled the power of change. By using a designer’s mindset, she has helped NGOs to optimize their efficiency and find ways to connect business with society. Tse Ka Kui, the founder of Social Investors Club in Hong Kong, also shared his own experience of social investment and talked about how his organization planned to evolve in the future.
Speakers from Intel, IDG Ventures, Shenzhen Charity Federation, Fujen University in Taiwan, also shared their own insights on how to integrate resources and push for social innovations in different panel discussions at the forum.
