Entrepreneurship is an ancient, universal phenomenon, and yet takes on new meaning and vitality this week. This week, the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) joins millions of innovators, dreamers, and leaders across the world in celebrating Global Entrepreneurship Week and recognizing the contributions of entrepreneurs to development and freedom. CIPE is proud to be an official partner of this global event, founded by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and Enterprise UK.
Entrepreneurship enriches lives and offers much-needed solutions to the social and economic challenges facing emerging nations. It presents avenues for youth to engage their energies, creates new jobs and opportunities, and advances innovation and growth. Entrepreneurs nurture democratic values of fair competition, self-reliance, pluralism, freedom of association, and respect for property.
Entrepreneurs are known for their resilience and ingenuity, but they need support in many countries where entrepreneurship has historically been discouraged. CIPE's programs educate youth on entrepreneurship in Peru, Afghanistan, and Nepal. They help break down barriers by easing business registration requirements in Guatemala, Jordan, and Montenegro. They strengthen the voices of women entrepreneurs in South Asia and Romania. Working with private sector partners, CIPE has improved the business climate in many more countries so that entrepreneurs can have the freedom to pursue their business ideas.
CIPE got a head start on Global Entrepreneurship Week in Egypt with the launch of the Arabic translation of Good Capitalism, Bad Capitalism, and the Economics of Growth and Prosperity. In Afghanistan, CIPE held an exhibition for students' products from 11 Kabul schools in the Tashabos entrepreneurship education program. In Romania this week, CIPE in partnership with the Coalition of Women's Business Associations is organizing a roundtable on "Entrepreneurship in Times of Crisis."
CIPE's Ethiopian partner Bright Africa Youth Association will be hosting a live discussion on FM radio regarding the role of media in promoting entrepreneurship, while another partner Samriddhi, The Prosperity Foundation will engage media, colleges, and entrepreneurs' clubs in discussions on the importance of entrepreneurship in Nepal. Elsewhere, CIPE's partners in Russia (Vladikavkaz Institute of Management), Kyrgyzstan (Bishkek Business Club), Paraguay (Fundacion Paraguaya), and Tunisia (L'Institut Arabe des Chefs d'Entreprises) are coordinating activities ranging from debates and essay contests to radio interviews and panel discussions.
Keep track of all these activities this week on the CIPE Development Blog and the Community of Young Entrepreneurs. We would love to hear how other organizations are celebrating Global Entrepreneurship Week or supporting entrepreneurial growth here and abroad.