DEPARTMENT FOR
BUSINESS, ENTERPRISE AND REGULATORY REFORM News Release (2008/268)
issued by COI News Distribution Service. 17 November 2008
The fifth annual
Enterprise Week, part of the first ever Global Entrepreneurship
Week (GEW) November, will be launched today by the Prime Minister
Gordon Brown and the Secretary of State for Business, Peter Mandelson.
Peter Mandelson will join politicians, World Business leaders and
high profile entrepreneurs from seventy-seven different countries
in London to launch Global Entrepreneurship Week at the
week's flagship debate, 'Can Entrepreneurs Change the World?'
GEW aims to encourage people to explore their entrepreneurial
talent either by starting up a new business, creating a social
enterprise, or cultivating innovative business ideas within their
own workplaces.
The week will see thousands of organisations running
competitions, awards ceremonies and networking events in a record
77 countries under the single banner of Global Entrepreneurship Week.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said:
"Speaking at the first ever Enterprise Week I said
'that an idea that started with only a few people and such
little financial support should become in just a small time such a
big campaign involving thousands across the country is itself a
tribute to the spirit of enterprise.'
"That this same idea and people should now, just four years
later, have inspired and driven a global campaign involving
millions of people in 77 countries is even more remarkable. Global
Entrepreneurship Week is a shining example of Britain leading the
world in enterprise and innovation. At this time of unprecedented
global change, I congratulate everyone involved in Global
Entrepreneurship Week for encouraging people and countries to work
together to find new ways to succeed."
Peter Mandelson added:
"The current global economic crisis has demonstrated once
again the interconnectedness of the world in which we live.
Enterprise and innovation are the key to the UK's future
economic growth and success in today's unsettled global market.
"Through initiatives such as Global Entrepreneurship Week we
can inspire the next wave of entrepreneurs to create a "can
do" culture".
The week is a combination and expansion of two successful
initiatives: the UK's Enterprise Week which was unveiled in
2004 by Gordon Brown and Entrepreneurship Week 2007 in the USA
which was inspired by Enterprise Week.
Enterprise Week and Global Entrepreneurship Week are coordinated
by Make Your Mark the business-led, government backed national
campaign to unlock the UK's enterprise potential.
The week will comprise of three themed days: Speed network the
Globe Day, an event which will get established and aspiring
entrepreneurs talking to each other and sharing ideas on Tuesday
18th, Women's Entrepreneurship Day on Wednesday 19th and
Clean and Green Day (Social Enterprise Day in the UK) on Thursday 20th.
For more information about Enterprise Week and Global
Entrepreneurship Week and a full list of the events, visit: http://www.enterpriseweek.org.uk
Notes to Editors:
1. Enterprise Week (which is part of Global
Entrepreneurship Week, 17-23rd of November) is a national
celebration of enterprise in all its forms with thousands of
events and activities happening across the UK. Last year there
were over 5,000 events and more than half a million people took part.
2. Global Entrepreneurship Week was co-created by Make Your Mark
and the Kauffman Foundation, the Worlds largest foundation
dedicated to Entrepreneurship.
3. Make Your Mark is the national campaign to create an
enterprise culture in the UK. It aims to inspire people to have
ideas and make them happen. The not-for-profit campaign is backed
by an unprecedented coalition of businesses, charities, education
bodies and government. It was founded by the four leading UK
business membership organisations - the British Chambers of
Commerce, the CBI, the Federation of Small Businesses and the
Institute of Directors. Their Director Generals sit on Make Your
Mark's board. The entrepreneur, Peter Jones, is currently
Make Your Mark's Independent Chair. It is supported by the
Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform and is
endorsed by the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown.
4. The Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
helps UK business succeed in an increasingly competitive world. It
promotes business growth and a strong enterprise economy, leads
the better regulation agenda and champions free and fair markets.
5. A number of resources have been sent to all schools and FE
colleges including a DVD with messages of support from the Prime
Minister, Peter Mandelson, Jim Knight and Peter Jones.
Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory
Reform
7th Floor, 1 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0ET
Public enquiries +44 (0)20 7215 5000
Textphone +44 (0)20 7215
6740 (for those with hearing impairment)
http://www.berr.gov.uk