Business for the other 99%

MENTION the word 'business' and many people immediately think of large corporations operating in the interests of a very few - those the Occupy movement called "the 1%".

Alternatively, they think of small street corner enterprises. There can be a big gulf between the two, and between those who ostensibly run 'business' and the great majority of ordinary people.

So how can we run, own, manage and organise 'business' as if the 99% really mattered?  That's the subject of the Just Festival conversation from 6-7.30pm at St John's Episcopal Church in Edinburgh (venue 127) this evening. Tickets cost £5.

In particular, there will be an emphasis on 'social business'. Seen as an instrument to tackle poverty and promote micro-finance, social enterprises have generated great interest, and not only among those who lean towards 'socialism'.

This new form of business with a ‘conscience’ is increasingly being adopted in Scotland and beyond. Yet, are they sustainable as businesses and for the communities they support?

The speakers this evening will be Frank McKillop (ABCUL), Kirsty Burnham (SoLoCo), Habib Malik (Islamic Relief Worldwide), and Josh Littlejohn (Social Bite). The chair will be Martin Sime, chief executive of the Scottish Council of Volunatry Organisations (SCVO).

Come along, find out more, and take part in the conversation. Then take in something to eat or drink in the relaxed atmosphere of the Persian Tent at St John's, if you will, and head off to the Quaker Meeting House for 8.30pm to hear about how Triodos Bank is one of the financial institutions trying to put the ethics back into business and the social back into enterprise.

Full booking details here.

You can also get tickets from the cash-only box office at the venue.