News Releases

Alan Fleischmann Accepts Goodwin Award in Italy on Behalf of ImagineNations

SIENA, ITALY (9 May 2008)— ImagineNations Group is proud to announce that it has been chosen as a recipient of the noted Goodwin Award as "Facilitators for Social Entrepreneurship" by the University of Siena.

Managing Director Alan H. Fleischmann accepted the award on behalf of ImagineNations Group. Fleischmann gave remarks following an elegant award ceremony with nearly 1,000 attendees, including introductory remarks by the Nobel Prize Economist Dr. Joseph Stiglitz.

The Goodwin Award, named after the late renowned global Economist Dr. Richard Goodwin, recognizes enterprises and organizations that have distinguished themselves through initiatives that are increasing social welfare through innovative and effective entrepreneurial approaches.

"We are very honored to have received this prestigious award in recognition of our efforts to help young people create economic opportunities for themselves throughout the developing world," said Fleischmann. "ImagineNations is addressing the global youth unemployment challenge by engaging the private, public and civil society sectors in partnership to promote large-scale entrepreneurship, job creation and access to capital markets and business coaching."

ImagineNations President & CEO Rick Little noted: "We are making great strides in devising and implementing creative and scaleable investment models for youth entrepreneurship and employment in developing countries. The Goodwin Award underscores that the global landscape has shifted toward a deeper understanding and appreciation for young people and for improving their prospects for a brighter economic future. I hope that this results in more interest and the possibilities for new partnerships to support youth employment and enterprise development."

The award was presented on May 8 in a special ceremony under the aegis of the Italian prime minister's office. Remarks were also provided by Dr. Stiglitz, author of important studies on the workshop issues, including "Globalization that works" (2006) and "Globalization and its opponents" (2002). Daniel Franklin, executive editor of The Economist and a member of the awards committee, also attended the ceremony.