Friday, December 2, 2011
12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Columbia Business School
Uris Hall, Hepburn Lounge

Leading social entrepreneurs from Turkey will discuss social innovation with perspectives from one of the fastest growing economies, located in the world in a region that is constantly changing. How can a country like Turkey with a young, highly educated population leverage its growing capacity in the business sector to develop its field of social entrepreneurship? What does it take to become a regional platform for social innovation? What is the role of social entrepreneurs in not only addressing particular issues through their ventures but also encouraging others to become engaged citizens and changemakers?
 
Ashoka fellows Ibrahim Betil, a former bank CEO and founder of Turkey’s leading youth organization, and Nasuh Mahruki, a mountaineer and founder of Turkey’s pioneering search and rescue organization, will share their experiences as social entrepreneurs and discuss the challenges and opportunities in creating innovative and entrepreneurial solutions to societal problems in Turkey and beyond.

This event is co-sponsored by Ashoka Turkey, The American Turkish Society, Turkish Philanthropy Funds, the Social Enterprise Program and the Jerome A. Chazen Institute of International Business.

Special thanks to The Marmara Manhattan for accommodation support.