November 21, 2019 was a night that put the celebration of social entrepreneurs front and centre, with the Social EnterPrize and What’s Next YYC awards. Sandwiched between those celebrations was a keynote that was provocative and profound. With the recent availability of the video of the keynote, Trico wanted to share this thought-provoking speech.
Dr. Jim Dewald, PhD, Dean of the Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary, presented a keynote entitled, “Social Enterprise: A New Paradigm?”. Topics covered included:
- A definition of social entrepreneurship and its place in both the history and ongoing evolution of capitalism;
- Why Milton Friedman was wrong and why it appeared for a while that he was right;
- Outlining that capitalism is not a matter of self-interest or benevolence, it is a matter of self-interest and benevolence;
- The work of R. Edward Freeman on stakeholder capitalism;
- How leading post-secondary institutions are embracing social entrepreneurship;
- Why the Haskayne School of Business is excited to be collaborating with the Trico Charitable Foundation on social entrepreneurship.
“Matt Ridley suggests the great driver of humanity’s progress is when ideas combine [see Matt’s TED talk below]. One sure sign Calgary is hitting its stride as a social entrepreneurship hub will be when we see more and more local leaders dedicated to this space, combining ideas. Hearing Jim talk about the idea that capitalism is about benevolence and self-interest and introducing us to the wonderful work of Ed Freeman has taken the thinking of the Trico Foundation in exciting new directions. We thank him for inspiring us and giving us a shining example of what Ridley is talking about,” says Dan Overall, Executive Director of the Trico Charitable Foundation.
[box] The Haskayne School of Business and the Trico Charitable Foundation believe Calgary can be a global hub for social entrepreneurship and leaders in the evolution of capitalism. The Trico Foundation Social Entrepreneurship Centre was established at Haskayne in 2019 thanks to a $5-million gift from the Trico Foundation to support student experiences inside and outside the classroom including community-based learning, internships, curriculum development and research. To build on this momentum, both organizations are collaborating on the Social EnterPrize award for outstanding Canadian social enterprises and What’s Next YYC, which awards prize money to Calgary and area based social enterprises. Learn more. [/box]