November 17-19, 2010
International Seminar
Social innovations in Latin America and the Caribbean
Institute of the Americas , University of Caifornia, San Diego campus, La Jolla, California
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The Institute of the Americas will be the site of a three-day conference on social innovation offered by the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, or CEPAL.  During the Nov. 17-19 conference, 25 winning projects on “Experiences in Social Innovation” will be presented by a judging panel from CEPAL and the Kellogg Foundation.

Each of these projects has contributed to the alleviation of poverty, inequality and social exclusion in their community and share the common goal of social innovation, active citizen participation and reasonable cost.

Some of the projects that will be presented are:

• “From Trash to Rehabilitation” – Chile demontrates an innovative model of financial sustainability of civil society organizations.
• “Social Observatory Maringá” – Brazil offers a concrete example that has succeeded in increasing transparency in public spending.
• “Family Student Lodging” – Bolivia shows how to build effective relationships with government.

The conference will offer a host of other events, including the launching of a book entitled, “From Social Innovation to Public Policy,” authored by Nohra Rey de Marulanda and Francisco Tancredi.

José Antonio Ocampo, former executive secretary of CEPAL and a professor at the University of Colombia, will offer a magisterial session during the closing session.

The event aims to foster a dialogue that allows people to observe the impact of organized civil society in public decision making. Business leaders, government officials, NGOs, academics and students are invited to participate.