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The Task Force continues to put effort to the work of exploring new ways to drive impacts in addressing poverty and social exclusion. The 4th meeting of the third term Task Force was held on 17 December. At the meeting, Task Force members reviewed and exchanged views on various plans that would help boost cross-sector collaboration and the development of the social innovation ecosystem. Stay tuned to keep abreast of our latest development and new initiatives.

Social innovation is not just about ideation but also implementation to drive impacts. Recently, Prof Johanna Mair and Dr Christian Seelos from Stanford Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society (PACS) visited Hong Kong and shared their research findings and thoughts on the subject at a sharing session titled "When Social Innovation Goes Wrong". The event was co-organised by Stanford PACS, Department of Applied Social Sciences of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and Fullness Social Enterprise Society, and sponsored by the SIE Fund.
The two speakers are well versed in social enterprises. Through case studies, they have identified the key to success for social businesses. Their insights were shared with Task Force members and some 160 participants coming from diverse sectors including social entrepreneurship, academia, social service, business, research and the government. There was a lively discussion and all were keen to see the social innovation ecosystem prospering as a result of collective efforts.

Launched by the Enable Foundation and sponsored by the SIE Fund, the Social Innovation Design Lab (SI.DLab) aims to enable young designers to co-create solutions with senior citizens, social service agencies and other organisations to address social issues associated with ageing.  Led by Chairperson Dr Jane Lee, Task Force members paid a visit to SI.DLab recently to keep abreast of its various projects.

"Fine Dying" is a project that engages 200 design students and 100 elders to co-design "Objects of Death". Among them is the paper-made burial ash scatterer "The Envelope" which has won two design-related awards lately.

Through “Dementia Going”, design students talk with dementia patients and together they co-create drawings and exhibits that let members of the public experience how dementia is like so as to enhance empathy for the patients.

The visit concluded with an exchange of views between the SI.DLab team and Task Force members who praised the team for the people-oriented approach in their projects.  Please visit the website of Enable Foundation for more about their projects of co-creation.