The most needed social innovations of the 21st century December 4, 2009
Posted by hochgerner in : events , add a commentOn November 30th, 2009, a public debate took place - in English language - at the University of Vienna. The event was organised by ZSI in the framework of a two-day working visit of scholars on social innovation from Australia, Europe and USA. The overall purpose of their invitation was to provide an opportunity for direct personal communication concerning approaches to concepts of social innovations, to reflect experiences pertaining working for social innovation development and implementation, and to consider avenues towards forming a global resource network for social innovation.
The panel of the public event at the university included (in the order of speaking).
Josef Hochgerner, Centre for Social Innovation, Vienna Talk (video)
Maria Carmen Lemos, School of Natural Resources and Environment, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor Talk (video)
Brenton Caffin, The Australian Centre for Social Innovation, Adelaide Talk (video)
Hans-Werner Franz, Central Scientific Institute (sfs), University of Technology, Dortmund Talk (video)
Louise Pulford, Young Foundation - Social Innovation eXchange (SIX), London Talk (video)
Pierre Valette, European Commission, DG Research - Prospective Planning for Research in the Economic, Social Sciences and Humanities, Brussels Talk (video)
Rudolf Richter, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Vienna, addressed the audience and the panel in a considerate introductory welcome speech.
Sabine Herlitschka, Director of European and International Programmes at the Austrian research Promotion Agency FFG, took care of skilled moderating the discussion.
After initial statements of the panelists discussion was opened immediately to the audience and evolved lively to become rich in content, stimulating, critical and thoughtful.
As a result we invite participants of this debate and the wider, Austrian, European and international public to engage in further discussions on the most needed social innovations of the 21st century in this blog!
For more information please see the documents containing “key messages” and “poster” or “Plakat” here.
Definition
Posted by hochgerner in : definitions , add a commentHere is a working definition of social innovations published by ZSI (Zentrum für Soziale Innovation / Centre for Social Innovation, Vienna):
Social innovations are concepts and measures to resolve societal challenges, adopted and utilised by social groups concerned.
Die Defintion in Deutsch:
Soziale Innovationen sind neue Konzepte und Maßnahmen, die von betroffenen gesellschaftlichen Gruppen angenommen und zur Bewältigung sozialer Herausforderungen genutzt werden.
Source: ZSI - Discussion Papers 9, 10
