Foreword

Welcome to SEWF 2022!

What started as a small gathering of inspired social enterprise leaders back in 2008 has grown into a truly global movement. The conversation has changed significantly in the last 14 years, out of passion and out of necessity. The concept of social enterprise has gained visibility, traction and recognition: the once best-kept secret has turned into an effective and proven solution to transforming the way we create and trade value.

The Social Enterprise World Forum is committed to accelerating our transition to a global impact economy. Our contribution is the work we do to support and activate our global social enterprise movement through capability building, connections and advocacy. We are an enabler, a convener and a catalyst as we provide the opportunity for the social enterprise

movement to collaborate for social change. We are honoured to represent the people who make the social enterprise movement; the entrepreneurs and innovators who create impact in their place and the communities and people that support their work to achieve a fairer more inclusive economy.

This is the reason why this event is designed for and by social enterprise practitioners. Being part of SEWF is only worthwhile if the knowledge you gain, the inspiration you take away and the connections you make, help you get ahead in your day-to-day undertakings. Systemic change starts with positive impact in places and in communities, and in this time of global change strong community initiatives that bring people together are more important than ever before. We understand and we embrace the importance of local context, culture and local relevance. A growing number of Community Hubs are engaging with the program in their own way this week - discussing, unpacking and making sense of the learning as discrete communities, in their unique context. As a movement, we’re the most global we’ve ever been, and we have the greatest sense of place we’ve ever had. To transition to a new impact economy we need greater, faster innovation, deeper connections and more effective collaboration. And we need to hear the voices of the communities – because they know best what a thriving life in a thriving place should looks like. So my hope for our global community is that we continue to grow the movement, welcoming and connecting with peers from various fields, backgrounds and disciplines, so that together we can envision new possibilities and co-create a better future.

As we convene in person for the first time since 2019, we encourage all in-person and online participants to be open and authentic, share your struggles as well as your successes and support others on their journey. Have a wonderful SEWF22!

Hélène Malandin Chair, SEWF