The document announces a conference called "Social Enterprise, Collaboration and Sustainability" that is designed differently than traditional hierarchical conferences. It will use an open space model where participants self-organize workshops around sustainability topics. The goal is to leverage the collective intelligence of diverse groups, as groups do not need exceptionally intelligent individuals but can reach wise decisions collectively. Participants are invited to contribute their knowledge and experiences to collaboratively address social and environmental challenges through social enterprise solutions.

1. Social Enterprise, Collaboration and Sustainability A Conference with a Difference Supported by:

2. Most conferences, like many of our social systems, are organised on a hierarchical basis. Yet hierarchy is proving inadequate to deal with increasing complexity, interdependence and uncertainty.

3. Complex problems require creativity and innovation, and diverse groups are the best source of these.

4. “ None of us is as smart as all of us” But the people with the parts of the solution are often scattered throughout organisations and sectors

5. Do you remember the most productive and fun parts of traditional conferences? For most people it was meeting in animated groups during coffee breaks or in the bar afterwards.

6. Social Enterprise, Collaboration and Sustainability is an open space conference designed with this in mind It’s a highly inclusive event where participants self organise to design the agenda and the workshops that inspire them.

7. In the Wisdom of Crowds, James Surowiecki says: “Groups do not need to be dominated by exceptionally intelligent people to be smart. “ Even if most of the people within the group are not especially well informed or rational, it can still reach a collectively wise decision.”

8. So, we invite you to bring your knowledge and experience to this conference and contribute to the collective intelligence We’ll collaborate around shared sustainability concerns that can range from social market opportunities to climate change and community cohesion.

9. Help catalyze social enterprises in the North East and co-create:

10. Social Enterprise, Collaboration and Sustainability National Glass Centre, Sunderland 19 th November 2009 Supported by: