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24 July 2024
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The University of the Free State (UFS) is co-hosting the Global Social Innovation Indaba together with Social Innovation Exchange (SIX) on its Bloemfontein Campus from 30 September to 2 October 2024. This event brings together people from different sectors all over the world to discuss how to accelerate and support people-powered
change and create a better society for generations to come.
The UFS is excited to collaborate with SIX, as its vision and values overlap. During this three-day indaba, aspects such as – what it takes to build accountable, inclusive, and participatory institutions, specifically the future role of universities in South Africa – will be discussed. Themes to be explored include young people as drivers of change, post-industrial transitions and community resilience, the role of art, social change and bridging divides, and systemic approaches to dealing with unemployment.
Some of the speakers and participants in the programme include Carla Duprat from ICE (Brazil); Cheryl Jacob from ESquared Investments (South Africa); François Bonnici from the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship (Switzerland); Sir Geoff Mulgan from the University College London (UCL) in the United Kingdom; and Dr Narissa Ramdhani from the Ifa Lethu Foundation (South Africa).
The UFS will also use the opportunity to showcase its campus and offerings to attendees, focusing on its transformation story and some of the interdisciplinary forward-thinking programmes. Guests will also be treated to true South African hospitality, laying the foundation for strong relationships and collaboration.
SIX believes in the transformative power of people working together. Exchanges based on mutual value and reciprocity are the missing link in tackling the world’s problems. As a friendly, expert entry point to global social innovation, their work connects organisations, sectors, communities, and nations to build capabilities and create opportunities for collaboration.
A woman with a vision and dreams
2014-09-19
Louzanne Coetzee recently made Kovsie -history when she became the first blind woman to be elected to the SRC in the portfolio for Student Accessibility and Support. She has not even considered standing for the SRC before, though.
“I wanted to create awareness of disabled students on campus,” Louzanne says. “By running for SRC and this specific portfolio, I thought it would be a great way to do so.” She has a lot of ideas on how to make the portfolio function better and to link the accessibility and support braches of the portfolio.
Louzanne has a passion for leadership. “I think this is a great platform for me to live out my values.” She describes herself as dynamic, but admits that she often pushes herself very hard to achieve the goals she has set out for herself. “I’m also very competitive. But I believe I can make it work to my advantage by setting goals regarding my leadership position on campus to make them happen.”
Having won several gold medals at athletic track events, Louzanne also aims to be selected for the South African 2016 Paralympics team.
And the one dream after another coming true for her, arises from a firm belief in the right attitude.
“I believe that with one’s attitude one can achieve anything. My personal motto has always been ‘mind management is life management’. One of the greatest lessons I have ever learned is that everything is determined by your attitude. The latter determines how you live your life and handle situations.”