On 13 December 2014 Youth Star’s Executive Director, Mrs Mora Gibbings, attended the inaugural Philanthropreneurship Forum in London. ‘Philanthropreneurship’ is an entrepreneurial approach to philanthropy seeking to deliver meaningful and sustained social change. This approach fits well with the Youth Star mission: ‘To build a just and peaceful nation through citizen service, civic leadership, and social entrepreneurship’.

The Philanthropreneurship Forum was co-convened by the Stars Foundation and London Business School. Youth Star was invited to attend this event through its involvement with the Stars Foundation—in 2012 Youth Star was received an Impact Award from the Foundation for its positive contribution to the improvement of Cambodian society. The Foundation generously met all of Youth Star’s travel and associated costs in attending the Forum.

Mrs Mora Gibbings with former US President, Mr Bill Clinton

 One of the many distinguished speakers at the Forum was former United States President, Mr Bill Clinton, who was presented with the first ever Philanthropreneurship Prize for his groundbreaking work with the Clinton Global Initiative. This work has built a movement that has improved the lives of more than 430 million people in over 180 countries.

Mrs Gibbings was very impressed with the range of initiatives and approaches presented at the Forum that were achieving profound social change. She hopes to adapt some of these approaches to advance the work of Youth Star over the coming months and years, and to use some of the networks established at the Forum to assist Youth Star in its efforts to fulfil its mission.