I was privileged this week to attend the launch of Christian Aid where Gordon Brown spoke passionately about the choices facing the UK in terms of isolationism v collaboration. Of course, Gordon Brown’s main focus was on the great work @ChristianAid has achieved and the current crisis in worldwide poverty, Christian Aid Week is focusing on maternal health in Sierra Leone, whose population of 7 million is served by 130 doctors and fewer than 1,000 nurses and midwives.
I found it interesting to hear Gordon Brown talking not only about the issues Christian Aid is tackling, but also the challenges facing not just the UK but other countries as the move towards isolationism is increasing globally. In launching Global Entrepreneurship Week over 10 years, Gordon Brown was one of the pioneers responsible for a movement of international collaboration which has spread to over 170 countries now as GEW has grown into the Global Entrepreneurship Network. Collaboration is happening across borders, not just between entrepreneurs, but also investors, researchers and governments. This is now a powerful movement and I’m proud to have been part of this for over 10 years myself.
I remain an optimist, and am confident that social entrepreneurs will have a growing role in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and collaboration with the third sector. For more on Gordon’s speech, check out the Guardian article.
