Is There Any Politics in the Social Innovation Agenda?

It was lesa majestatis when, last week in Gdynia (Poland) Yvonne, a senior journalist from the Observer, questioned Geoff Mulgan on the lack of a clear political agenda within the debate on social innovation.

I take side with the traitor this time as I feel there is a core unaddressed question: ‘What kind of new society do we want to build with social innovation – what are the values underpinning it?’

I’ve been thinking about this for a while and now feel comfortable to speak up. Politics is the forgotten third pillar besides the social and economic ones.

Perhaps it is not really forgotten, but carefully left avoided as all the champions of social innovation come from a political experience and didn’t really enjoy it.

However, the crisis doesn’t leave us a choice. We must engage in politics or there won’t be a future for us in Europe. I’m ready for it.

The future questions are these: ‘What’s the right politics to engage in or how can we build a social innovation agenda for politics?’

I don’t have a straight answer but know that party politics is not the right one.

I know that Europe is an opportunity, but the actual European Union is stuck in the past and unfocused, and must be reformed radically.

I know that big business is becoming interested in the agenda – see the Global Agenda Council on Social Innovation set up by the World Economic Forum – but is not radical enough to undermine its own vested interests.

I know that there are at least 11m people out there involved in social economy across Europe – working and volunteering – but the big organisations and networks are not able to lead the process, and yet they can’t be excluded.

I know that change will come from a new constituency, but it is at the moment just a shadow, because it is not defined by geography but by values – internet is their land, future their perspective.

I know that all movements calling for change such as the Indignados and Pirates are a start, but the solution lies with a new concept of citizenship and entrepreneurship. We can’t rely on state and market to provide solutions, so we must act.

I know I will be part of it but don’t know how yet. I started offering my persona for a safe sex campaign launched as you can see in the picture. I’m wearing a pair of underwear designed by Dawn – the woman in the picture is the founder of SOS Global. The underwear is equipped with a little pocket on the back to carry a condom when you go clubbing. Isn’t this 21st century politics?

Next week I will have a meeting with my potential election campaign advisor. Let’s see what she thinks.

Stay tuned.