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On November 18, 2007, the Goi Peace Foundation Forum 2007 was held at Waseda University International Conference Center attended by over 550 people filling the main auditorium as well as the second hall where the event could be viewed on screen.
The theme of the forum was “Everyone a Changemaker” adopted from the slogan of Ashoka: Innovators for the Public, the global association of leading social entrepreneurs founded by Bill Drayton who received this year’s Goi Peace Award.
Social entrepreneurs are challengers with innovative ideas and passion who are working to solve society’s most pressing social problems. They are improving the lives of millions of people by implementing system changes in education, environment, health, human rights and economic development. Learning from the creative examples of social entrepreneurs as well as from the fresh ideas of young people, the forum explored how each of us can become a Changemaker for a new civilization.
PROGRAM
PART I
Goi Peace Award Ceremony / Laureate: Bill Drayton
Commemorative Address “The Rise of the Citizen Sector”
The 2007 Goi Peace Award was presented to Bill Drayton, Founder and Chair of Ashoka: Innovators for the Public, who has been supporting world’s social entrepreneurs for over 25 years and working with them to collectively transform society. Panel Discussion “The Key to Changing the World: Learning from Social Entrepreneurs”
What is a social entrepreneur? How can we put our visions into action and initiate substantial change in society? Pioneers in their respective fields, who are dedicated to empowering individuals, exchanged their experience and ideas and inspired everyone to initiate change.
| Panelists: |
Bill Drayton, Chair and CEO of Ashoka
Yasuyuki Nambu, Group CEO and President of Pasona Inc.
Masami Saionji, Chairperson of the Goi Peace Foundation |
| Coordinator: |
Hiroo Saionji, President of the Goi Peace Foundation |
PART II
Voice of Youth
The winners of the 2007 International Essay Contest for Young People chosen from among 4,029 entries from 138 countries presented their creative ideas on the theme “The role of media and information and communication technologies in building a peaceful world.”
Children’s Category Winner: Sneh Shah (U.S.A.)
Youth’s Category Winner:Anna Rosario A. Elicaño (Philippines)
PART III
TAEKO with Soul Mates Harmony
A dynamic live performance was given by TAEKO, who is known for her powerful voice as well as her social action work through non-profit organization Dialog Net. She was joined by Soul Mates Harmony, a gospel chorus group formed by Pasona Inc. staff members, to sing some favorite melodies. The finale song “We Are the Bridge” brought the entire audience together holding hands, celebrating their shared commitment to become a Changemaker for a better world.
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