UCCA Beijing

Mercator Salon XVI Scientific/Technological and Societal Innovation: Controllable Creativity and a Decentralized Future

2015.6.14
15:00-17:00

Conversation
Location:  UCCA Atrium
Language:  Chinese and English with simultaneous interpretation

Societal innovation and scientific innovation are the twin engines powering dramatic shifts in today’s social landscape. Independent yet interconnected, the two mutually motivate and inspire.

Europe traditionally attributes considerable weight to social innovation, becoming increasingly recognized in since 2009 and serving to address the pressing social demands caused by economic crisis. The political leadership in China strongly promotes scientific/technological innovation, which can boost a country’s national economy as well as increase its scientific and military potential. At the same time, the concept of social innovation is gradually coming to the fore in China, often related to the changing role of government. China has been promoting social innovation in recent years by such means as reducing the administrative role and monopolizing character of government by creating more social entities and enhancing cooperation between government and society.

What makes societies innovative? What are the societal prerequisites for scientific/technological innovation? Who promotes societal and scientific innovation, and how? What effects does scientific and technological innovation have on societal developments?

Ticketing & Participation

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Speakers

Geoff Mulgan took over as CEO of Nesta in 2011, and since then has moved it out of the public sector and significantly increased its work in investment, research, and innovation programs. Between 1997 and 2004 Geoff had various roles in the UK government including director of the government's strategy unit and head of policy in the Prime Minister's office.

From 2004 to 2011 Geoff was the first Chief Executive of the Young Foundation. He was the first director and co-founder of the think-tank Demos; Chief Adviser to Gordon Brown MP; lecturer in telecommunications; investment executive; and reporter on BBC TV and radio. He is a visiting professor at LSE, UCL, Melbourne University and a regular lecturer at the China Executive Leadership Academy. He is an adviser to many governments around the world. He is also currently chair of the Studio Schools Trust and the Social Innovation Exchange. His most recent book is The Locust and the Bee (Princeton University Press, 2013).

Yuan Gu is the founder of Aha School of Social Innovation, one of the leading figures in social innovation and social enterprise in China, advisor and mentor of China Social Investment Platform; member of Editorial Board of Social Entrepreneurs; column writer of 21st Century Economic News Report, Hong Kong Economic Journal, and SE Insights Taiwan; co-author of four case study books on social innovation and NGO management; author of Social Innovation: the landmark of tomorrow, and What We Talk About When We Talk About Social Enterprise; founder of Aha Impact Accelerator, one of the first accelerators in China focusing on social startups in education and culture.

Moderator

Michael Kahn-Ackermann(Stiftung Mercator China Special Representative)