Last week I attended an event organized by the Office for Social
Innovation in the DMZ at Ryerson University. The event was called Changemakers
North of the Border and its purpose was to prompt a discussion on social
innovation and entrepreneurship as it relates to a wide array of topics.
Usually, members of Ryerson’s Social Innovation would attend an annual
conference in Miami, Florida. However, due to the immigration/travel ban an
event was organized in Toronto and we frequently checked in with the Miami
conference via webcam. Some of the topics covered included the Syrian
Refugee crisis and Toronto’s tech industry. To begin, a panel was formed to
discuss an Integrative Social Innovation Eco-system. Dr. Wendy Cukier
facilitated the panel and the panelists included Kevin Lee (Executive Director
Scadding Court Community Centre), Nora Angeles (Director Interpreter Services),
Barbra Schlifer (Commemorative Clinic) and Ben Canning (Co-founder, Growing
North). The conversation was insightful and highlighted the ways in which
entrepreneurial initiatives can have an astounding impact on social
innovation.
Later in the day, a
panel discussed social innovation in response to the Syrian refugee crisis on
the Ryerson campus. This panel was also extremely informative and focused on
Ryerson’s Lifeline Syria Challenge. The Lifeline Syria Challenge was initiated
in July 2015 and took only a matter of days to form. A handful of Ryerson
students and professors decided that they would like to raise funds in order to
support the immigration of 10 families (approx. 40 people), however after less
than 2 years their goal is already 100 families (400 people).
The event was eye
opening and I was particularly interested in the content covered as I am also
pursuing a Degree in Global Studies. I found it interesting that an event like
this took place so close to home, on the topic of innovation and
entrepreneurship. I was able to apply concepts covered in this course to the
content discussed throughout the day. At the end of the day, we were able to
network and chat with panelists and others attending the event. As was
mentioned in this weeks’ class, networking is important not only for career
progression, but it is an important learning tool as well. Has anyone else
attended conferences or networking events like this before? Are they effective?
Do you feel that the discussion of innovation as it relates to social +
entrepreneurship is important?
That sounds like an interesting event! To answer your question, I do think events such as these are effective tools for career progression, as well provide educational opportunities you may not find elsewhere. Like we discussed in class, as our society has entered the digital age the process of "networking" has become a crucial business practice and a primary means for promoting one's self in the corporate world. So it makes sense that actual networking events would be helpful in connecting with others in a similar field of interest, promoting yourself, and learning more about a topic or industry. Overall I think events such as these mirror many of the fundamental aspects of our current "network society". For example, they are temporary, fluid, and collaborative in nature, with a focus on innovation and making connections with like-minded people.
ReplyDeleteI like your point about networking events mirroring aspects of the "network society." Networking events are totally fluid, always changing and can come to an end. After events end, people are able to either follow up with the connections they made or they may choose not to reach out and then the connection has likely been lost. I think that networking gets a bad wrap because it seems like a hassle or an opportunity where only outgoing individuals prosper. But I think that these events can be beneficial and take place in many different ways which have the potential to foster connections for all involved.
DeleteThis sounds like a very cool event! Since I am enrolled in the social entrepreneurship option, I believe that events like this are an excellent way to promote entrepreneurship and to network. In today's society, networking is compulsory- it is all about who you know. This events environment reminds me of Communitech in kitchener. Since I have had many classes there, I have had a chance to talk to many people who all claimed that the environment they work in makes a huge difference. Like- minded people who encourage innovation and entrepreneurship makes an impact.
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