Social Business International has initiated and developed this seminar in partnership with the British Embassy Helsinki. It will focus on sharing knowledge in the field of public service reform and in particular about the use of social enterprises in the delivery of public services.
The seminar will offer the chance for high-level stakeholders to explore approaches to innovative forms of commissioning and delivery models that are being used in the UK and Finland.
It will combine discussions about policy and practice with a mix of presentations and debates involving speakers from national and local government, expert practitioners and social enterprise leaders.
The aim is to identify areas where there are common interests and where mutual international learning could be deepened; and in particular to identify if there are policies and practices that can be adapted for use in the participating countries. The outcomes of the discussions and debate will prepare the ground for further work.
On a wider level, we hope the seminar will contribute to deepening dialogue in the context of British and Nordic co-operation and feed into the rapidly moving agenda on social business being developed by the European Commission.
The guest speakers include:
Rt. Hon. Greg Clark, MP, the Birtish Minister for De-centralisation and Cities, who is leading on the new ‘Right to Challenge’ which gives voluntary organisations and staff-led mutuals the opportunity to bid to run local services. The UK Government is promoting social enterprise as a way to innovate and improve the delivery of public services.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, Kari Välimäki, who has served the Ministry in various positions for almost three decades. He has been the head of the staff for five years. The last strategic plan, Socially Sustainable Finland 2020, was drafted under his guidance.
Emmanuel Vallens, the Policy Co-ordinator in DG Markt’s Unit for Single Market Policy and Relations with the Council of the European Commission. The unit is leading a major EU policy initiative to promote social enterprise, including social investment, procurement and state aid rules.
Assistant Director for Young People at Surrey County Council, Garath Symonds, is pioneering a radical de-commissioning of youth services to create a new, intergrated and outcomes-based provision that meets the needs for transforming young people’s lives in Surrey.
CEO of Sandwell Community Caring Trust, Geoff Walker, is a social worker by profession but has become one of the most entrepreneurial leaders in the UK social enterprise movement. SCCT provides innovative care services under contract for local authorities.
The seminar will take place on January 16th at the Residence of Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Finland and attendance is strictly by invitation only.
Partners and sponsors:
This event has been kindly supported by SITRA, STKL (SOSTE from 1.1.12) and the British Council.
Media contacts and further information:
Media interest in Minister Rt. Hon. Greg Clark, MP, to Irina von Witte, the Press Officer of the Embassy, irina.vonwitte@fco.gov.uk, +358 (0)9 2286 5100
All other queries to Anne Bland, CEO of SBI, anne.bland@socialbusinessint.com, +358 (0)40-8525656
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