Celebrating EDAS's 25 Year Anniversary
The ESES Communities Team were delighted to be able to join EDAS for their 25 year anniversary celebrations at The Social Hub in Glasgow on Tuesday 27th May.
The afternoon opened with a very warm welcome from Neil McInroy, Chair of EDAS and Global Lead for Community Wealth Building followed by a captivating ‘Quartercentury’ recital by Brian Connolly, Scottish Enterprise.
Tom Arthur, MSP, Minister for Employment and Investment set the Scottish economic context before Charlie Woods, EDAS Board Member facilitated an energetic ‘fireside chat’ from board members past and present.
This conversation involved Jean Hamilton (EDAS Founder & Chair, 1999 – 2005), Robert Pollock (Chaired twice between 2013 and 2022), Neil McInroy (Chair, 2023 to present) and Clare Stoddart, (Chair, EDAS Future Leaders Network, 2024 to present). Jean and Clare went on to receive special awards honouring their contributions to EDAS and to economic development alongside Professor Alan McGregor who was also the EDAS chair from 2006 – 2013.
It was inspiring to hear from Grace Blakeley, Economics and politics commentator, columnist, journalist and author who explored economic futures and the role for economic development whilst Professor Julia K Steinberger, Professor of Societal Challenges of Climate Change at the University of Lausanne tackled ‘Countering Cataclysm Capitalism’ – both topics were incredibly thought-provoking and stimulating, prompting really interesting comments and questions from the audience.
A truly exceptional, informative and invigorating day – here’s to the next 25 years and beyond!