Global Entrepreneurship Week from tomorrow

by Anuradha KODAGODA

“Entrepreneurs are not born, they are made. Entrepreneurship is a skill that can be taught just like any other” This is an inspired statement made by the Chairman of Entrepreneur and Enterprise UK, Peter Jones. The week starting from tomorrow to November 21 has been nominated as the Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW).

The concept of the Global Entrepreneurship Week was initiated in 2004 through an Enterprise Week in UK and the concept spread around the world so quickly with the potential of running similar initiatives which were already there in many countries. However, the Enterprise UK and the Kauffman Foundation launched the first Global Entrepreneurship Week in 2008.

The GEW has grown massively and exposes millions of young people to life-changing entrepreneurial experiences. Through developing young people’s knowledge, skills and networks, they can grow innovative, sustainable enterprises, having a positive impact on their lives, their families and communities.

Last year’s GEW, there were over 7.5 million people who had participated in more than 32,000 activities which run in 88 countries.

GEW is driven by a global network of entrepreneurial champions, entrepreneurs, experts, policy-makers, education practitioners and politicians who all come together to inspire the future generation of entrepreneurs. It is an event with thousands of competitions around the world which inspire millions to engage in entrepreneurial activity while connecting them to potential collaborators, mentors and even investors.

“GEW is a festival of thinkers to inspire imagination, creativity and innovation. The Young Entrepreneurs Sri Lanka (YESL) is privileged to be the host organisation of the Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) this year, along with 125 countries where the Global Entrepreneurs Movement is stronger than the some of any national efforts, said Patrick Amarasinghe, the President of Young Entrepreneurs Sri Lanka.

“In countries involved in GEW, who are members of the Global Entrepreneur Congress (GEC) which meets annually in different parts of the world since 2008. On behalf of YESL, I myself who represented the GEC in Dubai last year and in Shanghai in this year. That was a glorious opportunity to meet and develop contacts with true entrepreneurs of these countries and various organizations promoting Entrepreneurship around the world. This is a great opportunity for our own country to promote trade and tourism with these countries particularly developing new markets,” he said.

When considering the statistics this year, in Sri Lanka, 45 events have been organised around the island under 13 main themes with the participation of 6,445 people, mainly school and university students and with 88 partners.

Today many countries have realised the importance of developing more entrepreneurs in different industries, who will going to be the future job creators and who will contribute to socio-economic development of the respective countries.

YESL is a Member/Franchise Holder of Junior Achievement (JA) Worldwide, (commenced over ninety years ago, in 1919 in USA, operates in 125 countries) conducting Practical Business, Economics and Entrepreneur Education Programs in schools since 1998. JA Worldwide is the world’s largest and fastest growing program dedicated to educating students about financial literacy, workforce readiness, entrepreneurship through hands-on programs.

According to the President of YESL, the key intention of these programs is to inspire and prepare youth to be workforce ready and entrepreneurial to succeed in the global economy with social responsibility.

The educational materials which are also provided during the sessions are continuously researched, upgraded, tested and proven globally by Junior Achievement Worldwide and they have offered ample number of scholarships and sponsorships of the business community, donor agencies and individuals.

“YESL is playing a major role in partnership with the government and private sector in promoting and establishing links with member countries in today’s global economy. YESL invites Organizations, Entrepreneurs, and professional bodies to be partners in its efforts to help our country to achieve socio-economic independence,” he further added.

More than 30 cities around the world are hosting Startup Weekend events during GEW 2011. Aspiring entrepreneurs team up at simultaneous events designed to create as many start-ups as possible.

Over the course of 54 hours, newly-formed teams in locations such as Lisbon, Sao Paulo and Sofia were present to judge the Sunday evening showcase.

As previous this time also the contest is a hunt for the most promising clean technology ideas anywhere in the world. One national winner from more than 20 countries will then compete during Global Entrepreneurship Week at the global finals for a chance at $100,000 in support and services.