In partnership with AVPN, British Council and BMW Foundation ‘Asia Policy Dialogue’ was successfully launched in Hong Kong on the 26th of May. Over 60 policy makers, government officials and representatives of International Organisations (OECD, UN, WB, ADB) across 16 different countries in Asia gathered together to share their experience and vision of promoting social economy (social innovation, social investment etc.) for the sustainable development of cities/countries.

Overview of the dialogue as below and full report will be available by the end of June through GSEF Website;

Morning Session

1. Overview on government policies and social investing eco-system relating to SDGs by Paul Carttar (Former Director of Obama’s Social Innovation Fund / Co-Founder of Bridgespan) & Cliff Prior (CEO of Big Society Capital).
   The session introduced UK and US models of promoting social innovation and social enterprises based on different institutional arrangements, development of civil society and political support.
2. Presentation from regional representatives of each country’s programs related to social Investment or innovation (14 representatives from different countries in Asia). 
   Each representative summarised the experience of developing social economy eco-system and challenges in their respective country.
3. Panel discussion on ‘Role of Municipal Governments in Promoting Social Economy’

   Speaker: 
   Gurgaon City (India) – TL Satyaprakash (Municipal Commissioner)
   Seoul Metropolitan Government – Seon-Seop Kang (Director, Social Economy Division)
   Association of Korean Local Governments for Social Economy and Solidarity
   Youngbae Kim (President / Mayor of Seongbuk District)

   Moderator:
   Paul Carttar.

   This session provided a chance to learn from the experience of promoting sustainable socio-economic development at the municipal government level. Many policy initiatives from Gurgaon, Seoul and Korea were introduced.
4. Panel Discussion on ‘Multi-Sector Collaboration Success Cases Focused on Housing Sector’

   Speaker: 
   Ashoka Foundation, Housing for All - Vishunu Swaminathan (Country Director)
   Habitat for Humanity - Charlie Ayco (CEO)
   Toad Housing - Jewon Lee (Director)

   Moderator:
   Bruno Dercon (UN Habitat, Asia Pacific Regional Office).

   The panel discussion on the housing session introduced Asia’s innovative solutions in tackling housing problems through the social economy such as social housing and multisector collaboration (public-private-community).

Afternoon Session

1. Introduction by Tristan Ace (British Council) on ‘The Role of Social Economy in Achieving the SDGs’.
2. Facilitated discussion in groups on how each country can contribute towards the SDGs with multi-sector collaboration initiatives
   
   In the afternoon session, participants were divided by 6 groups and freely exchanged their ideas on the role of government and the best way to formulate effective policies as well as suggestions for the future Asia Policy Dialogue event.

Further details of the event will be available soon at the GSEF website