Skoll World Forum 2008

Heidi Kuhn, CEO & Founder, Roots of Peace

The backdrop of Exeter College in Oxford, England--famous site for the filming of the Harry Potter Dining Room--was a dramatic setting to convene the gathering of the Skoll Social Forum 2008. The ambiance dovetailed with the sense of global vision derived from the 50 plus Social Entrepreneurs personally selected worldwide by Jeff Skoll, co-founder of eBay and CEO of Participant Films, who waved his magic wand amidst a diverse group of "uncommon heroes seeking common good." The result of the week was spell binding for all those had the unique pleasure of entering the invisible walls of a "new" world gathered to network innovative ideas focused on cultural change and an infusion of 'hope' into our world today.

With a vision to "Invest, Connect and Celebrate," The Skoll Foundation coordinated their initial meeting at the Rhodes Scholar Hall--an internationally recognized educational icon where photos of Nelson Mandela and Bill Clinton hung from the walls, as our humble group of extraordinary "change makers" gathered to debate subjects destined to intertwine NGO's and change the world. Within our Skoll burlap sacks were innovative new books intended to inspire our minds such as "Forces for Good." During the last several decades, a cadre of social entrepreneurial nonprofits have created extraordinary levels of social impact. These pioneers are the vanguard of a growing civic sector--a segment of the U.S. economy now valued at more than $1 trillion. Such public/private partnerships are operating in a "grey space" and are playing an increasingly important role in shaping our world. The traditional setting of Oxford University combined with the mystery of Harry Potter was a brilliant forum to intertwine both worlds.