Microsoft Gulf and the Synergos Institute announced the launch of the Arab World Social Innovators (AWSI) program in UAE, which aims to expand the scale and sustainability of high- impact social entrepreneurship to further empower youth in the region and particular in the UAE.
Recently, the 2009-2010 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor Report has positioned UAE among the highest prevalence of social entrepreneurs, with the US, Iceland, and Argentina. The 2010 World Bank Doing Business Report also substantiated this advanced position by ranking the UAE at 33 out of 183 economies in terms of ease for doing business.
The Arab World Social Innovator’s program is based on the belief that sustainable change can be achieved by empowering local leaders and organizations, and strengthening the capacity of local institutions to respond to pressing social and economic challenges. The program will identify 20 Social Innovators to help them transform successful models into larger-scale enterprises or non-governmental organizations.
The program will target high-priority sectors such as youth employment, education and environmental issues, and a greater representation of women.
“Promoting entrepreneurship has always been an integral part of Microsoft’s broader mission across the Gulf to promote social and economic development,” said Samer Abu- Ltaif, Regional General Manager, Microsoft Gulf. “The Arab World Social Innovator’s Program gives us a unique opportunity to help individuals through access to our world class tools, technologies and market resources to help bring new ideas, ventures and innovations to life. We are extremely excited to partner with such a prestigious organization as the Synergos Institute to further support the future generation of successful entrepreneurs who will make a real difference in their community.”
According to Ms. Peggy Dulany, Founder & Chair of the Synergos Institute, “Social Innovators are pioneers of change in their communities. They offer new ideas, creative approaches and promising solutions to outstanding social and economic problems. We are very pleased to be bringing this program to the UAE to identify and support entrepreneurs who will contribute to the well-being of their communities.”
As part of the program, each Innovator chosen will receive an integrated set of offerings over a period of two years. These will include a total financial award over the program period, participation in workshops and trainings, and access to Synergos’ global network of business, philanthropic, government and civil society leaders. Innovators will also benefit from being part of a regional peer network that includes members of the inaugural class of 2010 which will stimulate exchanges and collaborations.
Microsoft will leverage its global brand, technology platform, and presence in the region to identify opportunities to apply its technology to support the work of Social Innovators, leverage software to support their work, provide ICT training courses and sessions and maximize the exposure of the AWSI program through Microsoft marketing channels.
Notes and media contacts
Recently, the 2009-2010 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor Report has positioned UAE among the highest prevalence of social entrepreneurs, with the US, Iceland, and Argentina. The 2010 World Bank Doing Business Report also substantiated this advanced position by ranking the UAE at 33 out of 183 economies in terms of ease for doing business.
The Arab World Social Innovator’s program is based on the belief that sustainable change can be achieved by empowering local leaders and organizations, and strengthening the capacity of local institutions to respond to pressing social and economic challenges. The program will identify 20 Social Innovators to help them transform successful models into larger-scale enterprises or non-governmental organizations. The program will target high-priority sectors such as youth employment, education and environmental issues, and a greater representation of women.
“Promoting entrepreneurship has always been an integral part of Microsoft’s broader mission across the Gulf to promote social and economic development,” said Samer Abu- Ltaif, Regional General Manager, Microsoft Gulf. “The Arab World Social Innovator’s Program gives us a unique opportunity to help individuals through access to our world class tools, technologies and market resources to help bring new ideas, ventures and innovations to life. We are extremely excited to partner with such a prestigious organization as the Synergos Institute to further support the future generation of successful entrepreneurs who will make a real difference in their community.”
According to Ms. Peggy Dulany, Founder & Chair of the Synergos Institute, “Social Innovators are pioneers of change in their communities. They offer new ideas, creative approaches and promising solutions to outstanding social and economic problems. We are very pleased to be bringing this program to the UAE to identify and support entrepreneurs who will contribute to the well-being of their communities.”
As part of the program, each Innovator chosen will receive an integrated set of offerings over a period of two years. These will include a total financial award over the program period, participation in workshops and trainings, and access to Synergos’ global network of business, philanthropic, government and civil society leaders. Innovators will also benefit from being part of a regional peer network that includes members of the inaugural class of 2010 which will stimulate exchanges and collaborations.
Microsoft will leverage its global brand, technology platform, and presence in the region to identify opportunities to apply its technology to support the work of Social Innovators, leverage software to support their work, provide ICT training courses and sessions and maximize the exposure of the AWSI program through Microsoft marketing channels.
Contact:
Joumana El Tarabulsi
Media Relations Executive
ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller
Post Box. No 28063, Dubai, UAE
T:+971 4 3344550
F:+971 4 3344556
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