un[convention]alis an opportunity for 100 high school youth and 50 adults to engage with social innovators in an environment that is youthful, creative and fun. It is an all-day event with presentations of exciting ideas, initiatives and inventions that have made a positive social impact. All of the presenters have been involved in unconventional approaches to effecting social change.

One example is the Bicycling Empowerment Network, whose mission is to address poverty and mobility through the promotion of the bicycle in all its forms. Another is the No Kak Eco Design Initiative, which is developing opportunities for youth entrepreneurship in the field of sustainable design.

Other presenters include The Big Issue, the No Kak Eco Design Initiative, Black Hat & Nimbus, Organization Unbound, Sacred Slam, See-Saw-Do, Trade-Mark, Zayaan Khan and Yako 440.

Large companies and government were considered the greatest contributors to the shaping of society but there is a growing sector of social enterprises, creative small businesses and innovative community projects that are making massive positive contributions to development and forcing us to reconsider traditional ideas about ‘making a difference’. Furthermore, there is a concern that formal basic education in South Africa is narrow in its focus and does not promote innovative thinking. High school youth are not generally exposed to the type of knowledge sharing that will take place at un[convention]al.

Re.think Leadership is very proud to be collaborating with the Frederik Van Zyl Slabbert Institute for Student Leadership Development in realising this project. un[convention]al takes place on 14 July 2012 at the AmaMaties Hub, Stellenbosch University.

More information about un[convention]al is available at http://www.rethink-leadership.org/unconventional.html and http://www.rethink-leadership.org/unconventional-presenters-list.html .

University students can contact Emile at emile@rethink-leadership.org to purchase tickets at R250 each.