Thought I'd pass on this info about the Global Institute for Social Innovation that the folks from StartingBloc sent over this week:

StartingBloc (www.startingbloc.org), a non-profit dedicated to educating and connecting socially conscious young leaders, is bringing together 100 young professionals and undergraduate students from more than 25 countries during its first-ever Global Institute for Social Innovation in London from July 18-22, 2007.

The Institute, which will be held at London Business School, will explore the latest theories and case studies in corporate social responsibility, social innovation, social entrepreneurship, cross-sector collaboration and sustainability. Seminars, keynotes and workshops will be facilitated by leaders from Google, AccountAbility, General Electric, Business in the Community and the World Resources Institute among other pioneers in social innovation.

“StartingBloc is pleased to offer the unique experience of our Institute for Social Innovation to a group of talented young leaders from around the world,” said Joanna Opot, Executive Director, StartingBloc. “The social and economic challenges facing our world today require leaders from all sectors who have a common framework for understanding the role that public, private and social enterprises can play in finding and creating solutions. StartingBloc is proud to continue connecting fellows of our Institute with like-minded individuals to create a network that can effectively forge cross-sector partnerships to tackle the social challenges facing our world.”

Since it was founded in 2003, StartingBloc has graduated more than 500 young leaders from over 47 countries from its Institute for Social Innovation held in Boston, New York and Philadelphia at leading academic institutions such as Harvard University, The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, The Fletcher School of Tufts University, and The Wagner School of Public Service at New York University. The Global Institute for Social Innovation is StartingBloc’s first Institute held outside of the United States.

“London Business School is proud to partner with StartingBloc to host the first-ever Global Institute for Social Innovation,” said Mary Ferreira, Senior Marketing Manager for London Business School MBA programme. “We believe StartingBloc’s absolute dedication to building the next generation of socially responsible leaders is very much in line with our own commitment to fostering academic excellence, leadership, and the global capabilities required for success in today's business environment.”

StartingBloc is supported by many of the world’s leaders in corporate social responsibility and social innovation including organizations such as Goldman Sachs, ZipCar, General Electric, Ashoka Foundation, Rabobank and Rudolf Steiner Foundation.

For more information about StartingBloc and opportunities for sponsorship, please visit www.startingbloc.org.