Social Enterprise for a Day (or SE4D) is an annual two-day workshop that immerses MSVU Business and Tourism students in the world of social enterprise – combining opportunity for learning from the experts with a chance to give back to the community by raising funds for local charities.
“A social enterprise is a business operated to address social, cultural, environmental, or economic challenges. Most profits are reinvested to support that purpose” (source: Social Enterprise Network of Nova Scotia).
The SE4D workshop is unique to MSVU. According to Business and Tourism Department Chair Dr. Peter Mombourquette, MSVU is currently the only university in Canada that holds such an event. Given the University’s long-standing and commitment to advancing social issues, the conference is highly anticipated each year.
Supporting Ronald McDonald House Charities
The 2023 SE4D event takes place January 26 and 27 at MSVU and, this year, almost 100 students will be collaborating with Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Atlantic, which provides accommodations to help families with ill or injured children stay together and near the medical care they need. RMHC Atlantic CEO Lori Barker will deliver an address to students.
Day one of SE4D is dedicated to learning about social enterprise and this year’s featured charity. Toward the end of day one, students develop their own social enterprises.
On day two, students will hit the streets of Halifax to sell their products or services to raise money for RMHC Atlantic. Between noon and 2 p.m. watch for student social entrepreneurs at work throughout the city!
In years past, students have raised funds by selling compliments and staging a pop-up photo booth. One particularly innovative idea saw students create a chalk art advertising campaign for local businesses. Students mapped out paths to restaurants and shops using chalk, and customers were offered discounts when they mentioned the chalk art. The companies paid for the services, and the money was donated to charity.
The event is made possible with the support of Credit Union and the Centre for Entrepreneurship Education and Development (CEED). SE4D is part of a robust extra-curricular program offered by the MSVU Business & Tourism Department called the Learning Passport program.