“Students without Borders: Contributing to solving global challenges through international students”

Do you have what is needed to create social values?
Take the challenge register to workshop, and learn more about how social entrepreneurs plan their business!

Program
13.15-14.25 Inspiration to the case by Bitten Schei & Katinka Greve Leiner (The presentation will be in norwegian)
14.30 Groups assignment and lunch
14.40-15.00 Creative process
15.00-17.00 Prepare the concept
17.00-18.00  Presentation of the concept
19.00 Mixer starts at Britannia, the winner will be acclaimed.

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THE CASE
“Students without Borders: Contributing to solving global challenges through international students”

Young people across the world spend years reading, going to lectures and taking exams. To get the job you want, and the life you aspire for, you need an appropriate education. Getting educated is an investment in the future, a future which is waiting for you at the end of the final exam. Right?

But, what if there are no assurances of a career and secure income? For a lot of young people, an education is no guarantee for getting work, let alone a relevant job. Many students, particularly from developing countries, struggle with finding income generating activities, be it as employees or self-employed. For those who study abroad, the lack of opportunities at home and the prospect of relevant experience and higher incomes abroad act as disincentives to returning to their communities.

THE CHALLENGE
Make a product or service which facilitates international students in contributing to development in their communities after finishing an education abroad.

Your challenge is to think as a social entrepreneur. A social entrepreneur is someone who recognizes a social problem and uses entrepreneurial principles to organize, create, and manage an initiative which aims at contributing to social change. Given the social problem that the challenge presents, how can you use this as an opportunity to meet a need and create value for society?

THE CHANCE
The challenge encompasses many areas, and has many solution. Below are a few opportunities which are meant as inspiration to coming up with ideas that can meet the challenge:

Technology transfer: Students at NTNU have access to knowledge, technology and resources that the world needs. Three areas are particularly relevant for sustainable development, where Norway, Norwegian businesses and NTNU have comparative advantages:
1. Renewable energy
2. Clean water
3. Communication technology

Social entrepreneurship: NTNU has a vibrant student community and Norway has a well-developed civil society. These are important components of the country’s social fabric. Many individuals, organizations and companies would like to contribute towards solutions to global challenges, and are ready to partner with social entrepreneurs who have a convincing concept for value creation for society.

Private sector development: Many Norwegian companies are increasingly looking at investing in emerging markets. In order to contribute to development, foreign companies need an understanding of local realities and culture. There is also increasing awareness of the need for corporate social responsibility.

THE CLUES
•    There are over 1500 international students from almost 100 countries studying at NTNU. For more information about which countries they are from and what subjects they study, you can access http://dbh.nsd.uib.no/
•    NTNU Office of International Relations is the liaison office for international students. For more information, see http://www.ntnu.no/studies/visitng_and_exchange_students
•    There are several entities at NTNU which facilitate innovation and entrepreneurship, see http://www.ntnu.no/business
•    Many students come on scholarships or international exchange programs such as NOMA and NUFU, see http://www.norad.no

THE KEY CRITERIA
•    The solution should include a suggestion as to how this can be applied at NTNU.
•    Describe the product or service that your solution is based on, why it is unique, and what social problem it will address. What issue are you trying to solve and what are the levers of change?
•    The business plan must explain how the solution will create social value and impact in a significant and sustainable manner.

THE CONTINUATION
Where to go next? Other international social entrepreneurship competitions:

Ashoka’s Changemaker Competitions
http://www.changemakers.com/en-us/competitions

Dell Social Innovation Competition
http://www.dellsocialinnovationcompetition.com/

FERD Sosiale Entreprenører
http://www.ferd.no/lang/no/show.do?page=248;585

Global Social Venture Competition
http://www.gsvc.org/the_competition/

Harvard Pitch for Change
http://socialenterpriseconference.org/about-pitch-change

impACT³
http://en.act-for-impact.com/links

Nokia’s Growth Economy Venture Challenge
http://www.callingallinnovators.com/venture_challenge.aspx

Schwab Foundation Social Entrepreneur of the Year Competitions
http://www.schwabfoundseoy.org/en/competitions/active_competitions

The Staples Ashoka Youth Social Entrepreneur Awards Competition
http://www.genv.net/staplesyv/info

University of Washington Global Social Entrepreneurship Competition
http://www.foster.washington.edu/centers/gbc/globalsocialentrepreneurshi...