The Social Innovation Forum

at the University of Lausanne

 

The Social Innovation Forum at the University of Lausanne

Social Innovation Forum

Social innovation : idealism or creation
of a sustainable future ?

In order to achieve the 2030 agenda set by the United Nations, the need for social innovation is more urgent than ever. Social innovation goes beyond the traditional domain of non-profit organizations and NGOs. In recent years, we have witnessed the emergence of social entrepreneurs who are finding innovative solutions and models to respond to these increasingly complex and systemic social and environmental challenges.

The objective of this forum, organized by the HUB Entrepreneurship and Innovation of UNIL, is to make social innovation known to our community of students, researchers, collaborators and graduates – the principles, the issues and the functioning of social innovation, as well as its diversity and collaborative richness. It will answer the following questions :

  • Why do we need social entrepreneurs who challenge systems deeply ?
  • How to find solutions to complex social and environmental issues for which there is no viable economic model ?
  • How can the private and public sectors work together to support these social entrepreneurs and who are these actors in our region ?

This forum is also an opportunity to inspire by example by bringing together recognized social entrepreneurs and some younger ones who started their project during their studies at UNIL. Finally, it is an opportunity to bring our community together around a theme that affects all faculties and fields.

The speakers of the 2nd edition

Anne Headon

Anne Headon

Director of the HUB Entrepreneurship & Innovation UNIL

Morgane Catrice

Morgane Catrice

Co-founder of MEGA Social Innovation

Esther Mottier

Esther Mottier

Director of Votre Cercle de Vie

Nora Wilhelm

Nora Wilhelm

Social entrepreneur, UNESCO Young Leader & Forbes 30 under 30

Virginie Vasselon

Virginie Vasselon

HR Director at Romande Energie

Erica Mazerolle

Erica Mazerolle

Programme Manager UCreate

Sonja Betschart

Sonja Betschart

Co-founder & Co-CEO of WeRobotics

Sylvain Vernez

Sylvain Vernez

Head of FIC at Romande Energie

Jean-Philippe Bonardi

Jean-Philippe Bonardi

Professor and Managing Director at E4S

Christophe Dunand

Christophe Dunand

Founder of Realise & Co-founder of Après-Genève

Adrien Fontanellaz

Adrien Fontanellaz

Customer experience manager at Romande Energie

Emilie Romon

Emilie Romon

Director of Ashoka Switzerland

Silvan Scherer

Silvan Scherer

Project Manager at SENS Suisse

OUR PARTNERs

Relive the previous edition

1st edition – May 2022

 

Social Innovaton forum