Nobel Peace Prize Winner Muhammad Yunus and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo joined 100 of France’s leading social economy entrepreneurs and organizations at Paris’ City Hall to explore innovative ways to make the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games the most inclusive ever.
The event, which was also attended by Paris 2024 CEO Etienne Thobois, saw 100 French flagship start-ups from the new economy come together to share ideas on innovation, solidarity and social issues, and discuss how collectively they can enhance the organization of the 2024 Games. The world-leading social and solidarity economy (SSE) sector in Paris ensures social innovation, ethical practice and the environment are at the heart of projects across the city. These organizations already represent 10% of jobs and 12,230 projects in Paris.
“The City of Paris and Paris 2024 hope to mobilize their collective expertise to play a key role in helping to plan an inclusive and socially responsible Games that demonstrates a strong social purpose and delivers real community legacies;2 SAY A Paris 2024 press release, with Paris Mayor, Anne Hidalgo, stating: “By mobilizing our leading network of socially-conscious business entrepreneurs, Paris 2024 can deliver real community legacies that focus on inclusion, innovation and responsible social development. We are committed to sharing the social benefits and impact of the Olympic and Paralympic Games across our city, country and internationally.”
Yunus, Bangladeshi economist and entrepreneur who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006, commented: “I was impressed by the level of enthusiasm displayed by the entrepreneurs and start-ups involved in today’s gathering of minds. There was a real sense of purpose and a clear desire from those involved to support the Paris 2024 bid and make the Games as socially responsible and inclusive as possible.”
This story first appeared in the blog, The Sport Intern. The editor is Karl-Heinz Huba of Lorsch, Germany. He can be reached at ISMG@aol.com. The article is reprinted here with permission of Huba.