Democratic political institutions are being called into question and under threat, as we have seen in many parts of the world, including the United States, Western Europe, Brazil, and Hong Kong. The concentration of wealth and economic power in the hands of a few people and businesses is giving rise to the creation of new types of organizations and calls for a new type of economy in which the fruits of economic activity and power are shared more equally and democratically. Even within the social sector itself, nonprofit organizations and philanthropists are facing demands for greater inclusion, democratic governance, and power-sharing.
Join Stanford Social Innovation Review—the leading global publication on social change theory and practice—for our Frontiers of Social Innovation 2023 convening, "The Role of Social Innovation in Democracy," as we gather international leaders from nonprofit organizations, philanthropy, academia, research, business, and government. Over the course of three, half-day sessions, we will meet to question, debate, and discuss the relationship between social innovation and democracy and the role that social innovation plays in creating a more just and democratic society.
Be part of the conversation as we examine important topics, such as...
- • Government: How does the rise of populism globally challenge democratic principles and institutions that underlie a just and equitable society? With democracy on the decline in multiple countries, how can the social sector work together to counter this threat?
- • Civil Society: How can nonprofit organizations create a more democratic governance structure? Should democracy be a core principle of social innovation? How can foundations work more democratically with the grantees that they serve?
- • Economy: What does a democratic economy look like? What lessons can be learned from experiments and approaches being tested in other countries? How does one create a business that is governed democratically?
- • Politics: Are there alternatives to democracy as a political system that are more just and equitable? Can social innovation flourish under systems that are not “democratic”? How can the emerging practice of political innovation drive positive change?
We are delighted to announce that Frontiers of Social Innovation 2023 will remain a virtual convening for the third consecutive year, making it easier for a wider array of people to participate. We’ve learned much from the past several years about how to host virtual conferences that are engaging and informative, and the 2023 event will build on those experiences. In the coming weeks, we will be confirming our speakers and sessions and building networking opportunities – creating an inventive and interactive program you won’t want to miss!
Although virtual experiences are radically different from those presented in-person, we are committed to delivering a program that is just as informative, insightful, and engaging as that of any prior Frontiers. Over the next several weeks, we will be busy confirming our speakers and sessions, and developing other elements – including ways to network with your fellow social innovators – in order to provide you with an experience on par with what you have come to expect from SSIR convenings.
We hope you will join us on March 14-16, 2023
