The SIX Global Summer School, ‘Social innovation in divided societies’ takes place from 5th to 7th October in Bogota (Colombia). This event is co-organised by SIX and Somos Mas and will be hosted by Universidad de los Andes.
Across the world, there is growing sense that our societies are becoming more divisive. Whether it’s the widening gap between the rich and the poor, or the critical narrative around the most vulnerable in our society, our communities seem less cohesive. The partners of the SIX-project don’t believe that this widening gulf is inevitable. But arresting it needs innovation in how we work, and live together. It also needs new forms of collaboration across established sectors and cultures. That’s why social innovation in polarised societies is the focus of the 2016 SIX Summer School taking place in Colombia.
Colombia is an excellent place to do this. It is known for its biodiversity, creativity and urban innovation. At the same time, it is also overcoming a crippling background of social exclusion, violence, and the corrupting power of big mafias. While great advances have been made in the last 15 years in all these areas, Colombia remains a country full of contrasts, facing a complex, fragile, and exciting moment in history with a very hard-earned peace process underway. The scale and complexity of Colombia’s challenges have required new ways of dealing with existing problems, as well as potential new ones.
These are some of the key themes the Summer School will address:
What can we learn from the rich experiences of social innovation in Colombia and across Latin America? How can we find from the flowers between the cracks and what can they teach us? How can we overcome histories of violence and bitterness? How do you encourage people to work together when they have fundamentally different values? What will it take to find new and peaceful ways to thrive in polarized environments?
Target group and event design
Invited are leading social innovation thinkers and doers to gather for two and a half days to reflect on common topics, share experiences and identify potential collaborations, in the rich and challenging Colombian context. Policy makers will join with practitioners, business leaders, academics, activists and funders of social innovation.
The program will be designed with keynotes, interactive workshops, and site visits that will help to reflect and learn in ways that can nourish the own work.
Registration
The number of participants is limited. Spaces for this event will therefore be served on a first come, first served basis. To register, please follow this link.
