Gerry Higgins opens National Social Entrepreneurship Conference with inspiring call to action

The National Social Entrepreneurship Conference (NSEC) opened with a compelling keynote address from Gerry Higgins, Managing Director and Founder of the Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF), setting a powerful tone for the event’s first day. Drawing on decades of global experience in the field, Higgins inspired participants with his insights into the transformative power of social entrepreneurship, and the critical role it plays in addressing the world's most pressing social and environmental challenges.

The keynote address was made possible through the Ateneo Center for Social Entrepreneurship (ACSEnt) through the generous support of the Kwan Laurel Social Enterprise Fund. This support underscores a shared commitment to advancing inclusive and sustainable development through the growth of mission-driven enterprises.

In his address, Higgins emphasized that “social enterprises are more than just businesses with a conscience—they are vehicles for structural change.” He also highlighted global trends in the social enterprise movement, particularly the growing emphasis on youth-led innovation, climate action, and cross-sector partnerships. “We are witnessing a shift,” Higgins noted. “From aid to agency, from charity to change-making. And it is young entrepreneurs—especially in the Global South—who are leading this transformation.”

Attended by practitioners, students, academics, and policymakers, the conference marks a pivotal moment in the Philippines' growing social enterprise ecosystem. Higgins acknowledged the country's leadership in Southeast Asia's social entrepreneurship landscape and praised the work of organizations such as ACSEnt for nurturing a new generation of changemakers.

The keynote concluded with a call to action: “Let us not only imagine better futures—we must design and deliver them. The world needs your courage, your creativity, and your commitment.”
As NSEC came to a close, attendees expressed renewed energy and focus, looking forward to the collaborative opportunities ahead.
NSEC is co-organized by the Ateneo Center for Social Entrepreneurship (ACSEnt), Institute for Social Entrepreneurship in Asia (ISEA), University of the Philippines Institute for Small Scale Industries (UP ISSI) and the PRESENT Coalition.

To learn more about ACSEnt and the work that they do, you may visit their Facebook Page, or you may send an email via: acsent.jgsom@ateneo.edu.