South Africa to Host Part of 56 Nations to Host Global Entrepreneurship Week

Press Release

5 May 2008

A first-ever worldwide entrepreneurship event that is expected to involve millions of young people is taking shape. Fifty-six countries have currently signed on to support and initiate activities for Global Entrepreneurship Week, Nov. 17-23, 2008. This inaugural Week will engage young people around the world to encourage them to pursue entrepreneurial ideas and opportunities through activities with the support of entrepreneurs, government officials, non-profit leaders and educators.

The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation in the United States and the Make Your Mark campaign in the United Kingdom, which previously organized week-long celebrations of entrepreneurship in the U.S. and UK, respectively, are bringing the spirit of enterprising behavior to young people through this worldwide event. Thousands of activities and a captivating, interactive Web presence will inspire, connect, mentor, inform and engage youth on an unprecedented scale. 

In South Africa, Junior Achievement South Africa (JASA) and Endeavour South Africa have partnered to host the Week with the aim to excite the youth about possibilities of entrepreneurship. It also aims to ignite the much needed entrepreneurial flair among the youth, particularly in South Africa where it is envisaged that real economic boost will be as a result of participation by small companies. 

“We are hoping to engage various stakeholders so that there is a buzz around entrepreneurship through out the Week. This will be done through week long activities that aim to inspire our youth.” Says Linda McClure of Junior Achievement.  “We also hope to create an environment that allows enterprising behavior to flourish because it is important that young people believe in themselves and strive to make their ideas happen. The drive during the week and hopefully beyond is to nurture this behavior.”

“Entrepreneurship is the key to driving economic growth, creating jobs and building a sustainable middle class in South Africa and beyond. With Global Entrepreneurship Week, we will invest in the minds of our young people and other aspiring entrepreneurs in our country. ” said Greg Durst, Managing Director of Endeavor South Africa “Worldwide, young people will be unleashing their ideas in areas as diverse as technology, science, fashion, sports, and new media. The possibilities are endless and the opportunity to motivate people to realize their personal potential as innovators is unsurpassed."

A focal point for the Week will be a series of events to be held on national and local levels that will involve young people in the many aspects of entrepreneurship. The Week is being sponsored globally by NYSE Euronext, IBM and Ernst & Young. Organizers expect more countries to sign on in coming months. A complete list of participating countries and organizations is available at www.unleashingideas.org. 

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CONTACT:
Linda McClure
Managing Director
Junior Achievemnt South Africa
Linda@jasa.co.za
011 832 2632

Lulama Philiso
Marketing and Communications Manager
Junior Achievement South Africa
lulama@jasa.co.za
083 262 5534