Launch event: Social Enterprise for Sustainability

As a celebration of Africa Day, the University of Eastern Finland, the University of Namibia and the University of Venda launches their joint project “Social Enterprise for Sustainability”. The launch underwrites the theme of developing an Africa which is committed to the green transition, inclusiveness, resilience and self-reliance. This Finnish-funded collaborative project is based on the processes of Social Enterprise and is implemented under the global network the Finnish-Africa Platform for Innovation, funded by the Ministry of Education and Culture of Finland.

The aim of the SES project is to promote the adoption of the circular economy at a community level, creating opportunities for local communities. The SES project will co-create a series of pilot social enterprises that promote innovation of waste management in collaboration with local communities in South Africa and Namibia. The end-goal is to create a circular economy and promote upscaling in communities through effective waste management. The project address solid waste management (SWM) overall in Namibia and South Africa. This will be facilitated through a voluntary partnership with communities, industry, a variety of business organizations as well as universities. Finland, Namibia, South Africa are committed to a caring society where there is active participation in this circular economy and effective waste management practices. The results of the pilot studies will highlight the next stage of the project which is essentially social entrepreneurship skills building practices through a circular economy. Teaching will focus on social justice and learning through interdisciplinary collaboration in a shared curriculum.

Programme

• Welcoming Words. Professor Janet Anand.
• Address from the Counsellor of Education and Science, Pretoria. Counsellor Iina Soiri, Embassy of Finland in Pretoria.
• Address from the Embassy of Finland in Namibia. H.E. Ambassador Leena Viljanen.
• Creating eco-friendly environment - responsible actions from youth in rural areas of Limpopo province, South Africa. Professor Jabulani Makhubele, University of Venda.
• "From Trash to Treasure" Arts and Craft project from Solid Waste Material for Collective Empowerment and Sustainable Development. Dr Rachel Freeman, University of Namibia.
• Building sustainable collaboration between South Africa, Namibia and Finland. Dr Satu Ranta-Tyrkkö, University of Jyväskylä.
• Q & A
• Address from the Embassy of Namibia in Finland. H.E. Ambassador Charles B. Josob.