SSE Community Consultation - Ottawa
It may have been a cold, grey fall day outside but the atmosphere in the conference room at the Sprott School of Business at Carleton University was anything but. Sitting around the table were folks who had been deeply involved in community building, social enterprise research, funding, and business.
The group provided some excellent insights on the SSE model and how we might be able to adapt it to a Canadian context. They thought that entrepreneurship should be encouraged at an earlier age - in high school or even in elementary school. They suggested that the school could encourage intergenerational exchanges and bring younger people into the network. A hands-on component was important as was involving other sectors: private, not-for-profit, government.
At least 20% of students applying to the school should have access to full (or close to full) funding to avoid elitism. A membership program with benefits might reinforce networking opportunities [a “Friends of Social Entrepreneurship” perhaps?]. An exchange component to the other SSEs in the UK or even Australia would allow us to see how SEs in other countries are operating.
In summary, the school should:
- guarantee that SEs are part of a strong network
- work both inside or outside of existing institutions or organizations
- produce successful, sustainable graduates
- integrate visionary companies or organizations
-have a project-based core curriculum that provides a fertile ground for creativity and practical skills
- professionalize / formalize social entrepreneurship and build positive awareness about success stories
-create a vibrant network of partners, students, graduates and institutions
- include FUN & BEER!
Fun and beer, you might ask? Yep. It’s hard to be a social entrepreneur unless you’re having fun. It’s an important part of maintaining your passion. Beer? People should get together more often over beer (or coffee) to talk and share ideas.
With thanks to our panelists from:
Causeway Work Centre, the Carleton Centre for Community Innovation (3Ci), Creativision, the Local Employability Access Program (LEAP), Ottawa Community Loan Foundation, Rideau Street Youth Enterprises, Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization (OCISO), the Coalition of New Canadians for Arts & Culture (CNCAC).
Also to Professor Francois Brouard at the Sprott Centre for Social Enterprises for hosting.
