A Country Forum involves panels on selected countries and regions which already has a strong social business ecosystem. Participants in these country forums will discuss the actual practice of social businesses and explore further potential of growth in the selected countries/regions. The participants will then prepare an action plan for their respective country/region which will remain in effect until Social Business Day (SBD) 2021. They will have a chance to share their findings in the plenary session following the Country Forum break-out session. Click Country Forums to learn more about its layout. Scroll down to apply to your preferred country/ region .

Objectives

Fundamental objectives of the Forum:

• Networking and community-building to inspire collective action
• Initiating dialogue and debatearound social business
• Creating new ideas and promoting interesting discussions
• Learning about existing social businesses and offering support to expedite their growth
• Presenting social business plans that require investment support
• Connecting with local, national, and international investors interested in social business ventures
• Cultivating a deep understanding of social business’ purpose in achieving social objectives for the greater good of the country/region
• Discussing with policy makers, social activists, and NGO leaders about the possibility of creating social business villages, cities, districts, etc.
• Establishing follow-up programs and action plans for next year's forum

Format:

• On June 29, Day 2 of SBD, Country Forums will be held from 11:20AM to 12:45PM.
• One SBD organizer will be assigned to each Forum. They will get intouch with the Chair of the Forum organizing committee before the delegates arrive. The SBD organizer will find out the Forum Organizer’s needs and ensure those resources are made available. They are to inform who will be attending each Forum.
• If organizers have questions pertaining to the Country Forum session, they may direct those questions to their designated staff member at the YunusCentre.
• Chairs of organizing committees must hold briefing meetings with their respective SBD counterparts prior to June 29, 2018. SBD volunteers will attend their assigned Forums to help resolve any logistical issues that may arise.
• We encourage each Country Forum to assign an individual to take notes during the session and compile a brief report in English. The report should also include suggestions on how to improve the Country Forum layout. Forums may produce reports in their respective language, but submission of an English report is compulsory. The reports must be sent to lamiya@grameen.org by July 15, 2019.

Sessions

Each Country Forum will decide upon its sessions and topics. There may be a mixture of brief speeches, panel discussions, moderated talks, Pecha Kucha presentations, etc.

Leading participants in the Forum should be introduced to the audience.

Forum Structure

1. Forum Organizer welcomes the delegates.
2. Introduce the format and purpose of the Forum.
3. AnnounceForumconcludes with a rough-draft action plan, remaining in effect until SBD 2021.
4. Host panel discussion with leading speakers as well as any other volunteer delegates.
5. Organize a drafting committee in charge of finalization of actionplan – the final action plan should be submitted to the Yunus Centre no later than July 15, 2019.
6. Begin drafting country’s action plan.
7. Network among those present.

Note: We strongly recommended all Country Forums follow the prescribed session layout. Adjustments to improve the pace of or dissemination of information at the Country Forum session are welcome, though.


*Professor Yunus will attempt to visit each Forum to greet the delegates for approximately ten minutes.*