26 January 2015. The Leaders Forum takes place at two venues and makes use of three formats: to start with, participants will work on projects in workshops with social entrepreneurs from Europe and Latin America and discuss challenges and opportunities of social entrepreneurship. This launching event will take place in the Impact Hub Zurich, Viaduktstrasse 93-95, Zurich, on 5 February 2015.

On the occasion of the Sustainability Conference at the University of St.Gallen, personalities from politics and the economy will talk about sustainable action in their industries on 6 February. On 7 February, participants will have an opportunity to discuss their projects in small-group round-table discussions with experts. The list of speakers includes the following personalities:

• Doris Leuthard, Federal Councillor, Head of the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC);
• Hernando de Soto, economist and President of the Institute for Liberty and Democracy, Lima;
• Jeffrey Sachs, Director of the Earth Institute of Columbia University, New York (participating by video conference);
• Yolanda Kakabadse, President of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF);
• Yves Daccord, Director-General of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC);
• Norine MacDonald, President of the International Council on Security and Development (ICOS).

The detailed programme of the three-day Forum is available at www.leaders-forum.org

The event is being organised by the VIVA Trust and the Centro Latinoamericano-Suizo of the University of St.Gallen (CLS-HSG). It is supported by the AVINA Foundation. The Impact Hub Zurich and the St.Gallen student association Social Business Club are actively involved in the organisation of the Forum.

The general public and media representatives are cordially welcome; they are kindly asked to register: www.leaders-forum.org/register

Photo: Fotolia.com/weerapat1003