Innovation has long been one of the buzzwords of our age. But to what extent can we call our society innovative? Geoff Mulgan, former chief advisor to Gordon Brown and Director of the Young Foundation will address the THINK Society on why we, as a society, need to become as good at innovation to meet social needs as we are at innovating new technologies.
Exploring emotive issues affecting young people ranging from ASBOs to NEETs, Geoff will discuss what roles the government, business and individuals should play in social innovation and securing the future for some of the UK's most vulnerable young people.
Since late 2004 Geoff Mulgan has been director of the Young Foundation, a centre for social innovation based in London. Under Michael Young the foundation initiated dozens of new organisations and initiatives including the Open University, International Alert and Which?, patient-led healthcare and schools for social entrepreneurs. Today its work encompasses research, publications, local projects in nearly 30 areas, running investment funds and teams in health and education, and coordinating an international network of organisations involved in social innovation in over 40 countries. Between 1997 and 2004 Geoff had various roles in the UK government including director of the Government’s Strategy Unit and head of policy in the Prime Minister’s office. Before that he was the founder and director of the think-tank Demos and chief adviser to Gordon Brown MP. He has also worked in local government, the European Commission, and as a reporter for BBC TV and radio. He is a visiting professor at LSE, UCL and Melbourne University; on the boards of the Work Foundation and the Design Council; and chair of Involve and of the Carnegie Inquiry into the Future of Civil Society. His most recent book is ‘Good and Bad Power: the Ideals and Betrayals of Government’ (Allen Lane, 2006).
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