Poverty rates are on the rise – even in our own backyards – and are affecting us all. Inspired by the United Nations number 1 goal to ‘end poverty in all its forms everywhere’, it’s time to raise the bar in terms of impact: how can we end poverty and not just fight it? How can we cross the barriers between social and economic? How can we build inclusive businesses? And how can we have truly sustainable impact in our strategies and decisions?

While economic growth has improved the future for many, it has not translated into poverty alleviation. Combating poverty is a challenge and although the battle has not yet been won, it is far from being hopeless. Governments alone cannot provide the solution; all socio-economic actors, including business and academia, need to work together.

What can you do? As a business leader, a citizen, a parent, a family member?

Believers, visionaries, opinion leaders and entrepreneurs with social impact will provide you with inspiration on how to deal with and ultimately help eradicate poverty through:

• People empowerment
• Fair decision-making
• Business models that truly reconcile people, planet and profit
• Inclusive HR policies
• Social communities
• Cross-sector partnerships
• ...

Join us for an evening filled with authentic stories – both little and big – and be part of our social impact community in the hope that this drop in the ocean will have the ripple effect to create a wave.

Programme

6.30 PM: Welcome

7.00 – 7.20 PM: Facts and figures of poverty

7.20 – 9.00 PM: Social impact stories

• Fair enough: how fair business decisions can alleviate poverty

• When buddies go together: from connection to innovation

• No P(rofit) without P(eople): business as a force for positive social innovation

• Care for (all) human resources: inclusive HR policies

9.00 – 9.20: ESG and SDGs: how to address poverty in your ESG strategy

9.30 PM - …. : Networking & Co-creating

Music by Tom Helsen

Food & drinks by Greenz & Sodexo

Speakers

Charles Leclef

Founder of non-profit organisation ‘Fairisme’, author of ‘Fairisme. Een eerlijke vorm van samenleven’.

Theo Vaes

Co-founder of non-profit organisation ‘Armen TeKort’, ‘Radical Innovator’ award winner 2022, Ashoka Fellow.

Piet Colruyt

Social entrepreneur, impact investor, founder of the Impact House, co-author of ‘Allemaal Sociaal 3.0’.

Christine Castille & Heidi Degerickx

Corporate Partnerships Manager & Coordinator of ‘Netwerk Tegen Armoede’ (Belgian network against poverty).

Tom Helsen

Singer-songwriter, volunteer in the ‘Sociale Kruidenier’ (corner shop for underprivileged customers).

More info on our website

Our club partner :

The Vlerick alumni community would not be the thriving, dynamic organization it is today without the support of our valued partners: