In the heart of Brussels, at the awe-inspiring Museum of Natural Sciences, I engaged in the ‘Being Entrepreneurial 2023 – Skills for Change‘ conference, a nexus of entrepreneurial vigour and collective aspiration. The event, meticulously orchestrated by Bantani Education, took place in the home of the European Commission in the Year of Skills, setting the stage for a strategic policy dialogue and best practice sharing. The conference brought together a fellowship of professionals—inclusive of policymakers, educators, youth workers, and enterprise advocates—all dedicated to the cultivation of entrepreneurial skills as a catalyst for transformative change.
Amidst this gathering, dedicated to skill enhancement, the conference emerged as a crucible for the pivotal role of entrepreneurial education in addressing skills gaps and furthering sustainable development. My involvement with the EntreComp framework, which has grown in strength and reach from my university role to the wider community, was acknowledged alongside a host of champions driving transformative policy and practice across Europe.
Receiving the EntreComp Champion Award from Dr Dana Puia Morel of the European Commission was a moment brimming with personal pride, celebrating not just my own path but also the collective efforts of all those involved—from the eager young students and devoted staff of Dafen School to the encouraging parents and the extended community. Beyond my individual narrative, the presence of Dr. Horst Heitz, alongside Paul RÜBIG, President of SME Connect, as well as other illustrious representatives from the European Commission and a remarkable assembly of EntreComp practitioners, underscored the value of our joint endeavour within the ever-expanding global EntreComp community. Their recognition of both individual and organizational EntreComp champions served to underline the vast scope of our united dedication to fostering entrepreneurial skills throughout Europe and further afield.
In detailing Dafen School’s story during my presentation, I described an educational journey interlaced with entrepreneurial learning, harmonised with the Welsh curriculum, and reflective of the principles of the Well-being of Future Generations Act.
The conference, held amidst the museum’s silent chronicles of history, stood as a poignant reminder of our collective responsibility towards sustainability. It signalled that our actions today will shape the legacy for the generations to come — a legacy that must embrace innovation, responsibility, and inclusivity.
Looking back on the Brussels conference, it was clear that it transcended the typical professional gathering. It celebrated the transformative power of entrepreneurial education and the unyielding spirit of our collaborative community. The event served as a powerful reminder that within every challenge lies the opportunity for innovation and that, together, we are nurturing changemakers capable of crafting a sustainable future.
Special thank you to the EntreComp Community, Bantani Education, and Dafen School.
And also to my wonderful colleagues at the International Institute of Creative Entrepreneurial Development who passionately embrace EntreComp to co-create new innovations and developments: Kath, Hazel, and Paul. – and of course my wonderful HES partner, Prof David A Kirby.
Count down now to GEW2023 at Dafen School 13-17th November, and also our feature in the forthcoming book out early 2024.
Felicity
Emergent Thinkers™ 
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