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Media Statement, 30th Sept 2005
John O’Shea, founder and chief executive of
the international humanitarian agency, GOAL, was named the Ernst
& Young 2005 Social Entrepreneur of the Year. This was the first
year that the “special recognition” category had a social
theme which aimed to encourage entrepreneurs to be more socially
minded in the pursuit of their dreams.
Businessman and previous winner, Denis O'Brien, who
chairs the judging panel, presented him with the award at a televised
ceremony at the City West Hotel last night.
Accepting the award, O’Shea urged this year’s
entrepreneurs to holiday in a poor African country so they could
see how best their flair and knowledge can benefit the most needy
people: the poorest of the poor in Africa.
The GOAL chief used the opportunity to highlight the
importance of education in developing an entrepreneurial generation
in Africa. “Unless they get an education, progress is stunted
and little progress can be made. It’s a slow process”.
GOAL was set up in 1977 and is dedicated to the alleviation
of suffering of the world's poorest people. Since its inception,
GOAL has sent 1,100 volunteers to work in the developing world,
alongside more than 2,000 local staff and spent over €300 million
on the delivery of aid.
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