What do we mean by this?  Our 2011 Conference theme asks us to consider how we can we inspire the transition from socially conscious students and young people into entrepreneurs who seek to provide solutions to some of the problems that our society faces. The 2011 Social Enterprise Conference will provide a platform for you to explore how others made the transition from consciousness to action and be inspired to make your transition.  Join us this year and commit yourself to making the transition by effecting change to create a sustainable impact on the world. 

This year, while we will cover a broad range of social enterprise topics, we will consider our content through the following lenses:

• How much impact can we deliver through innovative approaches?  How do these ideas address areas where more traditional efforts have fallen short?
• What kind of impact should new approaches aspire towards?  Can these new solutions be internally self-sustaining?  Can they make use of our natural and human resources sustainably as well?
• How can we make a difference from our different positions in life, whether as students or as professionals?  How can we discover and act on our passions?

We are excited about our theme: it not only drives us to continue showcasing some of the best ideas that may change the world, but also inspires us to understand how we can make this change a reality at a personal level.

Following the conference, we will be hosting a lion's den in partnership with Sustainability, Research Enterprise and Development and other partners. The lions will support your ideas into social enterprises. With a cash prize for the winner and training, support and resources available for all viable and good pitches, we hope that the conference will inspire many innovating projects to develop. Find out more information about the event on Bristol Social Enterprise Society's website here.

-It will inspire and inform: The conference will link students to a series of inspirational and informative speakers about how business skills can be applied to social and environmental issues.

-It provides resources: This conference allows students to bring theory together with practice, by providing links with the resources needed to start or develop a social enterprise.

-Students gain skills: The skills gained in this conference and in follow up training opportunities will allow students to apply socially minded ideas to social enterprises.

-Attendees explore pioneering ideas: The conference asks pioneering questions about how business can transition towards being more socially minded; and how students can transition into social entrepreneurs.

-Lion's Den is launched: The conference will launch the Lion's Den, taking place in December, which will allow projects with an enterprising idea with a social or environmental  aim to gain financial start up support and training opportunities.