Stephan Chambers – highlights of the 2008 Skoll World Forum
Stephan Chambers, chairman of the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship, gives opening remarks at the closing plenary of the Skoll World Forum 2008. He shares highlights and inspiration from the Forum’s programs.
Ladies and gentlemen, friends. Welcome to the last session of the remarkable fifth world forum behalf of Said Business School, Skoll Center, the University of Oxford and all my colleagues, thank you for making such an exciting and productive event. Those poor benighted souls who've spent this week elsewhere might have been forgiven for thinking the world a rather gloomy on the place.
Particularly if they were bankers and particularly, if they were bankers arriving departing through Heathrow. And those of you gofer it today's FT. We'll see the headline terminal decline. Despite that, it's been an incredibly gratifying week here in Oxford. and to feel the energy this week, all of it positive, all of it sustainable, has been astonishing.
When we gathered on Wednesday, in the Caeldonian [sp?], we dared to hope that this week bring us closer together, and that it would move us forward. I'm not sure that even those of us who had a rough idea of what was coming could have predicted the cumulative, energizing effect of the last few days.
I've been amazed by the coruscating optimism of President Carter. The salutary admonitions of Tony Giddons the amazing insights with Jodie, Pat, Nafis and Karim, the inspiring stories of this year's awardees. And the remarkable work of all of you in sessions, panels, clinics, tents, and dining halls.
Anything but terminal decline. It is now my very great pleasure to introduce Paul Calia [sp?] interview this morning. Paul is a distinguished economist and director of the Center for the Study of African Economies here in Oxford. his book, The Bottom Billion, which has just won the 2008 Lionel Gerber prize, has sparked thousands of conversations around the world.
Those conversations are happening in government, in the academy, and in corporations. and they're very important. Paul Collin.
Related Videos
Social Entrepreneurship and the Bottom Billion: Why The Poorest Countries are Failing and what can be done about it
Working Within Cultures and Contexts – Lessons Learned
Reflections from a Cross Cultural Pioneer – Paul Farmer
Message From Our 2007 Nobel Laureate – Al Gore
Closing Remarks from Sally Osberg at 2008 Skoll World Forum
Social Entrepreneurship and the Bottom Billion: Why The Poorest Countries are Failing and what can be done about it
Working Within Cultures and Contexts – Lessons Learned
Reflections from a Cross Cultural Pioneer – Paul Farmer
Message From Our 2007 Nobel Laureate – Al Gore
Closing Remarks from Sally Osberg at 2008 Skoll World Forum
