From July 21 – 23 the first Social Business Forum Asia is taking place in Fukuoka, Japan.
 
The aim of this forum is to facilitate the creation of self-sustainable projects for survivors of the East Japan Earthquake in March 2011 and help them recover, rebuild and reconnect their lives through the practice of social business. Mid-term and long-term social business measures will be examined in order to support the reconstruction of the affected areas and the lives of the people living in them. The forum will also act as a way to reinforce the joint efforts and the needed cooperation between companies, governments, NPO/NGO and individuals, as well to spread the idea of social business to solve social problems and create a better future in Japan, Asia and all around the world.
 
The event includes workshops, a panel discussion, a public symposium and more. Professor Yunus himself held a keynote speech and participated in a panel discussion about the future of social business in Japan.  
 
Participanting are representatives from the Yunus Centre, The Grameen Creative Lab, as well as representatives of national and international companies, universities, NPOs/NGOs and governmental organizations from China, Taiwan, Korea, Singapore, Japan, etc.
 
The event is organized by GCL@Kyushu University, a joint initiative between The Grameen Creative Lab and Kyushu University in Fukuoka, Japan. The initiative was established in March 2010 with the goal to proactively carry out education, research, and incubation of social business in collaboration with the Grameen family, Japanese companies, NPOs/NGOs, universities, and governments.
 
To learn more about the Social Business Forum Asia and to register, check out the official website of GCL@Kyushu University here. You can even watch a recording of the event at here. 
 
If you would like to receive more information about the Social Business Forum Asia, please send an email to info@gcl.kyushu-u.ac.jp