(26 November 2008) "In light of the current economic crisis, ECLAC estimates that the number of poor in the region could increase by 15 million, reverting the progress made in reducing poverty between 2005 and 2007. These innovative models, of proven results and efficient cost, may provide avenues to successfully face the crisis, in social terms," stated Commission Secretary Laura López, upon inaugurating the IV Social Innovation Fair in Medellín, Colombia.
Medellín mayor Alonso Salazar added that "one of the biggest challenges today is how capital flows adapt to the real economy. In this context, we are very proud to host community projects of good practices that will be exhibited in this Fair, become familiar with them and learn from them."
On the occasion, Mayor Salazar also paid hommage to ECLAC for its 60 year anniversary, acknowledging its contribution to the economic and social development of the region.
The Social Innovation Fair is exhibiting programmes that have proven able to address, in a creative and efficient ways, problems that are at the root of the social exclusion suffered by millions in Latin American and the Caribbean.
The Social Innovation Fair will be open from November 26-28 at the University Research Center of the Antioquia University in Medellín, Colombia, and will exhibit the twelve most innovative initiatives selected as finalists from among 874 applicants to the 2007-2008 round of the Experiences in Social Innovation contest, organized by ECLAC with support from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. In the four yearly cycles of the contest, there have been 70 finalists from among 4,400 submissions.
The exhibit presents the 12 projects from eight countries in Latin America and the Caribbean selected as finalists in the 2007-2008 cycle of the contest, as well as the six winners of the 2006-2007 round. Each project will present its work to the Committee of Notables.
This year's finalists are from Argentina (1), Belize (1), Brazil (3), Chile (1), Colombia (2), Cuba (1), Ecuador (2) and St. Lucia (1). All of them represent innovative ways of improving health, education, nutrition, environmental conservation, income generating capacity, and gender equity, and include youth and social responsibility programmes.
The five winners of this year's contest will be announced on November 28, day in which the next contest cycle 2008-2009 will open for submissions.
See also:
cepal.org
