EBS University in Germany Launches Social Business Chair
On Monday, 1st of November 2010, the European Business School (EBS) University has launched the Social Business Chair under the patronage of Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus. As the first chair for social business in Germany, its aim will be to advance research in the field of social business to develop new business approaches for developed countries. The EBS is the leading German private business school with 180 partner universities worldwide. Out of over hundred business faculties in German Universities, the EBS is the only one, which now has such a program.
Prof. Yunus, patron of the Chair stated, "Our partnership with the EBS plays an important role in spreading the idea of social business further and training the next generation of leaders and decision makers. Together with EBS, we will develop competencies and skills for social business leadership, a positive contribution to provide global social change. We are very pleased about this partnership with one of the leading business schools in Europe."
EBS launched the chair in an official ceremony attended by the elite of the city including Dr Helmut Muller, Mayor of Weisbaden the city where EBS is located. Under this Chair existing social business models will be analyzed and the conditions for social business in Germany studied. The first study is already being developed, entitled "The future of social business in Germany by 2030"; the results of which will be presented in February 2011.
EBS University President Professor Dr. Christopher Jahns remarked, "EBS takes a pioneering role with the newly created Chair in Social Business. The goal of this unique Chair in Germany is to explore the growth area of social business and to develop it as a business model for Germany. We are very proud to work with two pioneers in this field - Prof. Yunus, founder of the principle of social business, and Danone.
Also, on Tuesday 2 November 2010, 170 mayors from around Germany, led by Dr. Helmut Müller, Mayor of Wiesbaden, came together to discuss social business and how this concept could be introduced into cities and implemented in Germany. Prof. Muhammad Yunus addressed the conference and spoke about the importance of social business as a tool to fight social problems both in developing and developed countries alike.
Mayor Dr. Müller expressed his happiness that Yunus could address the first Mayor Conference on social business, stating, "The mayor's conference on ‘Social Business' should motivate us to address the social problems of the region innovatively, making use of regional resources and potential."The conference was organized by the City Mayor to promote the exchange of ideas, models and the regional network of cities and towns.
Wiesbaden is both leading and is involved with other actors in building a social business network that initiates projects to help solve social problems. Wiesbaden is one of two first cities worldwide to implement a comprehensive social business concept, known as a "Social Business City". This includes, among others, the following initiatives: founding of various new social businesses; transformation of existing businesses into social businesses; setting up a financial infrastructure for social businesses; establishing social business incubators who can support Wiesbaden as well as partner cities in the creation of social business cities; the initiation of "social business think tanks". The long-term vision will be for Wiesbaden to be an international hub for social business and an inspiration for social responsibility.
