KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, August 24 /PRNewswire/ --

The most famous social entrepreneur today is 2006 Nobel prize winner
Mohammad Yunus. Less famous, but equally inspirational are young up-coming
social entrepreneurs -- over 500 have so far applied under the Global Young
Social Entrepreneurs' Competition 2007 and more are doing so every day. Young
women and men that have latched onto the vision of changing the world through
business: business with a social or ecological twist. Given the tremendous
interest, Global Knowledge Partnership (GKP) is extending the Competition
deadline to 9 September 2007. The Competition is supported by GKP members UN
Development Programme (UNDP), Microsoft, International Development Research
Centre (IDRC) and Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

54% of the world population is aged below 25. Many of these youths, in
both developing and developed countries, are motivated by a job that not only
earns them a living, but also helps make the world a better place. Social
Entrepreneurship fits these criteria.

These young and up-coming social entrepreneurs are in good company -- for
example the company of Mohammad Yunus, the most prominent social entrepreneur
these days who received the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize for his pioneering
microfinance social business in Bangladesh (Grameen Bank). High-profile
social entrepreneurs have also made their entry into the World Economic Forum
and taken top places in awards programmes such as the World Challenge 2006.

Mohammad Yunus' description of what a social enterprise is: "Let us
suppose an entrepreneur, instead of having a single source of motivation
(such as, maximizing profit), now has two sources of motivation, which are
mutually exclusive, but equally compelling -- a) maximization of profit and
b) doing good to people and the world."

Rinalia Abdul Rahim, GKP Executive Director: "The quality of applications
received to-date profile many ingenious young entrepreneurs who contribute
towards a better future with new business models."

The winners receive more than just sponsorship to attend the Young Social
Entrepreneurs' Forum @ GK3, 11-13 December, Malaysia (
www.globalknowledge.org/ysef07 , www.GKPEventsontheFuture.org ). They are
offered the unique opportunity to potentially secure funding, networking,
mentoring and knowledge for themselves -- key areas in which young social
entrepreneurs need support.

Apply:
      www.globalknowledge.org/ysecompetition07

    Eligibility:
      www.globalknowledge.org/ysef07/index.cfm?&menuid=11&parentid=7

    Submissions:
      www.globalknowledge.org/ysef07/index.cfm?&menuid=10&parentid=7

    Deadline:                 9 September 2007
    Announcement of winners:  20 October 2007

    Contact:

    Ms Gabriele Siegenthaler
    Young Social Entrepreneurs' Forum @ GK3
    +60-1-7226-7302
    gabriele@gkps.org.my
    www.globalknowledge.org

    Web site: http://www.globalknowledge.org
              http://www.globalknowledge.org/ysecompetition07
        http://www.globalknowledge.org/ysef07/index.cfm?&menuid=11&parentid=7