PRESS RELEASE
14th November 2002
Social Entrepreneur’s Network Conference - Auckland Region
Monday 25 November 2002
Gold Lecture Theatre - UNITEC
Gate 4, Carrington Road
Mt Albert
Auckland
“Social entrepreneurs are people who possess both an innovative idea for social change and the entrepreneurial drive to
achieve its realisation”.
In the words of Lord Rutherford one of the greatest innovators New Zealand has ever produced
“We don’t have the money so we have to think”.
The SEN Conference – Monday 25th November 2002
The SEN Conference is an opportunity to do exactly that, to produce or strengthen the next significant innovators. The
recognition and support of these gifted New Zealanders and their ideas will follow from such exposure.
The SEN conference precedes the National Commact conference (at the same venue) by just one day. It is a valuable
opportunity for entrepreneurs and those with interest in local enterprise development and social innovation, to gather,
network, and present their work and to find ways around the obstacles they inevitably face as modern pioneers.
The Auckland Regional Social Entrepreneurs networking conference is a daylong series of speakers and discussion
workshops, modelled on a recent highly successful conference held in Christchurch earlier this year and the Wellington
conference held in November 2001.
The Keynote speaker is Chris Elphick, who emigrated here two years ago and brought with him a huge amount of experience
gained from working as an organisation development consultant in UK, Ireland, Scotland and elsewhere in Europe. His work
includes the whole notion of Social entrepreneurship as it applied to the development of low income and depressed
communities. He has pioneered a range of community based and owned initiatives, is a skilled facilitator, consultant and
trainer. Chris is available for interview on (03) 573 8992
Other speakers have yet to be confirmed.
Participants are expected to be drawn form, community business, local government, central government, creative
industries, commerce, health, education, social service sectors – among others
There will be opportunity for 5 local projects to present their work formally and other opportunities for people to
discuss their work in workshop sessions.
Participation is very affordable at $30 for the day with full catering inclusive.
100 places only. Bookings are essential 09 815 9022 or by email senconf@kingslandcentral.co.nz
Some Background
Aotearoa New Zealand is often hailed in the bigger world as an innovative society. New Zealanders have pioneered huge
social and technological development over many decades.
The challenge is now to keep this national trait strong and expanding in both in our local society and in the world
environment, which more than ever demand constant change and economic growth.
The is no doubt that the talent and the mindset for social, technological and environmental change exists in Aotearoa
New Zealand, indeed it is a vital force for a small country such as ours. It is now a question of encouraging a
confident response developing effective infrastructure and systems to channel the powerful flow of entrepreneurial
energy.
The balance must be ensured between business development, environmental development and people and community
development.
The challenge therefore is for traditional business to grasp the concept of strong mutually beneficial relationships
with local innovators and with local enterprise. Ideas and innovations need to be picked up faster and developed to
profitability before they become lost opportunities. Profits are needed now for distribution to the people and
communities from where the innovations and enterprise emerged.
Responsiveness to ideas and to innovation is another challenge that equally faces the Social Entrepreneur and those who
wish to see social and economic growth. We need more responsive attitudes and systems. Innovation comes at some risk.
The price can be failure before success. The territory is not for the “faint-hearted”, the risk adverse politician or
the timid investor – it is for the bold, visionary and for those who truly want or need to make the vision a solid
reality.
Commact Aotearoa is the organisation promoting the SEN Conference and the National Conference, it is the Association for
Local Action and Economic Development. Further background material can be provided by contacting Bruce Hamilton or Peter
Vaile at (03) 789 6477 or email commact@xtra.co.nz
Richard Howard
09 815 9022
SEN Conference Co-ordinator
For Commact Aotearoa
Authorised by Richard Howard – Inner Voice Ltd (Auckland)
Auckland Region SEN Conference Co-ordinator 09 815 9022
For Commact Aotearoa