Syinconnect 2010

The following content is from the organiser's website http://www.syinc.org/syinconnect.

* * *

Following our inaugural run in 2008, Syinconnect is back this 16-17 October 2010! This time, we're using a different angle: Using design thinking to tackle social issues.

Over the two-day conference, participants will experience the "design thinking" process through an exploration of the different problems encountered by a particular beneficiary group in Singapore. We are collaborating with an NGO and design professionals, who will guide participants in creating solutions to the problems.

Instead of a conference comprised of a series of talks to learn lessons from others, Syinconnect will take you right into the jungle (as it were) - with a field research element to bring you behind the scenes of the issue and understand it better.

If you are a passionate tertiary student with (some) experience working on social issues/projects, curious, and open to new ideas, we want you. Join us as we experiment with a way of learning and experiencing that hasn't even been done in Singapore before (until now, that is!).

Only a limited number of Syinconnect places are available. We'll admit it - we're prioritising quality of experience over quantity of participants.

The not-so-fine print: A place at Syinconnect is valued at SGD$150. BUT, do apply for our full and partial scholarships - we want everyone who should be there, to be there.

Give us a holler at syinconnect@syinc.org to ask, clarify, critique, muse, suggest, or just send some love!

*   *   *

A competition for young, aspiring social entrepreneurs

The Rotary Youth Social Entrepreneurship Challenge invites you to share your ideas or showcase your projects with them. Win cash prizes and Lexmark printers, plus exclusive networking, mentorship opportunities and all-expenses-paid study trips to the best-run social enterprises in the region.

Candidates may apply to either:

1) Idea Launchpad – For teams with a social business idea and want to test the concept

2) Project Accelerator – For teams with a mature/already in development business concept and are looking to advance the venture

To read more about the competition or apply to enter, please visit http://www.rysec.sg/

Participants are able to submit their ideas on the day of the Social Enterprise Workshop: 11 September 2010. This could well be the trigger that launches you as lifelong social entrepreneurs, living your “success stories”!