CONTACTS:
Morten Hussmann, Ernst & Young Global Public Relations, morten.hussmann@uk.ey.com; +44 (0)7917 557 018
Barbara Pruitt, Kauffman Foundation, U.S. bpruitt@kauffman.org; +44 (0) 913-908-3898
Worldwide event to encourage youth entrepreneurship
Herman Hulst (left), Global Managing Partner, Client Services and Accounts, Ernst & Young, with Carl Schramm, President and CEO Kauffman Foundation, in Monte Carlo, Monaco.
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MONTE CARLO, MONACO—Ernst & Young officially kicked off its global sponsorship of the 2008 Global Entrepreneurship Week (November 17-23, 2008), a first-ever worldwide series of entrepreneurship events, with the help of the Week's founding sponsor, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. As a global sponsor, Ernst & Young will provide support and initiate activities designed to engage and encourage young people to pursue entrepreneurial ideas with the support of entrepreneurs, government officials, non-profit leaders and educators. To date, more than 70 organizations in some 60 countries are participating in the Week, which is expected to involve millions of young people around the world.
"Through its position as founder of the prestigious World Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards, Ernst & Young's considerable entrepreneurship leadership and resources in dozens of nations will help put this initiative on the world's stage," said Carl Schramm, president and CEO of the Kauffman Foundation.
"We are proud to launch our sponsorship of Global Entrepreneurship Week at an event that honors the world's top entrepreneurs from 43 countries," said Ernst & Young Global Vice Chair for Strategic Growth Markets, Greg Ericksen. "Educating young people about entrepreneurship and reinforcing the value that entrepreneurs and innovators bring to their respective countries is critical to long-term prosperity—more so now than ever before."
During the Week, a series of events will be held on international, national and local levels that will involve young people in many aspects of entrepreneurship. While many of these events are now in the planning stages, examples range from The Netherlands launching the Week from the floor of Euronext to Chile holding a 10k race. In addition to Ernst & Young, the Week is sponsored globally by NYSE Euronext and IBM. Organizers expect more countries and sponsors to sign on in coming months. A complete list of participating countries and organizations is available at www.unleashingideas.org.
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