I had the opportunity last month to attend the Consultation on Social Entrepreneurship and New Leadership Development held in New York. A fellow attendee was Nir Tsuk, the Director of the Global Fellowship Program for Ashoka and the individual responsible for bringing Ashoka to Israel. Nir will be returning in just a few short weeks and will be based in Tel Aviv. His stated aim for Ashoka Israel is to increase the proportion of people who are change-makers and social entrepreneurs in Israeli society.

According to Ashoka, “over the past 60 years, Israel and its social sector have grown tremendously and performed impressively. Yet the country still faces multiple challenges — political and religious tensions; issues of minority rights and exclusion; social and economic inequalities; and inadequate environmental protection — which require more than good will and work. They need system-changing ideas led by people who can implement them and inspire others to act. These people are social entrepreneurs; visionaries who work to change the patterns of how society operates.”

An international organization, Ashoka envisions a world where everyone is a change-maker; with a global community that is able to respond quickly and effectively to social challenges anywhere and anytime. Where every member of society would have the freedom, confidence and societal support to create positive change.

We will have more to say about Ashoka Israel next month. In the meantime, Kol Ha-Kavod to both Nir and Ashoka for this endeavor; and we look forward to our Israeli change-makers adding a new dimension to Ashoka’s global community.

For more information, check out Ashoka Israel in Short.