Entrepreneurs Gather at the United Nations to Help Find Creative Solutions for Global Challenges

Today, the Global Accelerator brought together United Nations leaders and over 100 top entrepreneurs from more than 10 countries together to help find innovative solutions to tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges.  The event was developed by the United Nations Foundation’s Global Entrepreneurs Council, and co-hosted by the UN Department of Public Information and the UN Foundation. The Global Accelerator sought creative solutions-oriented approaches to accelerate progress on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), focusing on job creation and youth employment, water and sanitation, and women’s economic empowerment.

“It is our belief that the issues the UN tackles on a daily basis: peace and security, humanitarian relief, development and human rights—cannot be addressed without the unique skills, assets and expertise of the public and private sectors working in partnership to make progress on our collective goals for a more peaceful, prosperous and just world,” said Nasser Maher, Officer-in- Charge, UN Department of Public Information.

New opportunities are emerging that leverage the power of entrepreneurship and innovation to alleviate poverty, improve health outcomes, and empower women around the world. Global leaders and experts are starting to rally around the idea that entrepreneurs are central to increasing economic growth, generating solutions to major global issues, and contributing to positive social change globally and locally.

The key themes from the discussions of the day include:

• Need to take risks
• Need to collaborate among sectors
• Combine resources (time, money, networks) in order to scale alongside global priorities around the Millennium Development Goals

“Today, top entrepreneurs shared ideas on how we can move the needle – and move mountains – on some of the world’s toughest challenges,” said Kathy Calvin, President and CEO of the UN Foundation. “Working together in supporting the UN, we can make a difference – especially in the less than 600 days remaining in the surge to make progress against the MDGs by the end of 2015 – if we continue to apply innovative approaches and an entrepreneurial mindset to our collective goals.”

The Global Entrepreneurs Council, chaired by Elizabeth Gore the UN Foundation Entrepreneur-in-Residence, brings together ten leading entrepreneurs under 45. The Council works together for a two-year term to help the UN Foundation – through its campaigns, partnerships, and programs – support the UN’s efforts to increase innovation and impact. Council members represent various industries including, corporate, creative community, and media.

More information on the Global Accelerator visit: http://globalaccelerator.unfoundation.org/.