Economia & Impresa sociale
Social enterprises: a regal nod
Queen Elizabeth II says 'social enterprises' for the first time and sends shivers of delight round the sector.
di Rose Hackman
On Tuesday May 25, Queen Elizabeth II made social enterprise history.
After a procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster escorted by the household cavalry, the Queen sat on her House of Lords throne and proceeded to deliver her 2010 Queen’s speech to install the new British coalition government.
The words that moved social entrepreneurs across Britain were simple and brief.
“The role of social enterprises, charities and cooperatives in our public services will be enhanced,” the 84-year-old monarch told members of both houses.
Queen Elizabeth has never used the expression ‘social enterprise’ in a public situation before.
Talking to the British publication Social Enterprise, CEO of the Social Enterprise Coalition Peter Holbrook said: “The Queen’s speech lays out the most crucial and central policies of the government, and to have social enterprise mentioned so prominently is a real milestone for the movement.”
The State Opening event is largely symbolical. Although the speech is read out by the Queen, the content is drawn up by the government and approved by the cabinet. Its aim is to delineate the focus of future policies.
