The International Council for Small Business (ICSB) Pre-Conference, held recently in Jinju City, South Korea, was a remarkable event that unfolded numerous insights and perspectives into the interconnections of history, nature, and culture. With the primary focus on exploring the beauty of South Korea and its unique entrepreneurial landscape, the pre-conference allowed participants to delve into unexplored facets of Korean entrepreneurship.

This groundbreaking forum successfully highlighted how deeply intertwined the concepts of history, nature, and culture are when understanding a region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. South Korea, with its rich history, diverse nature, and vibrant culture, provided the perfect backdrop to the discussions.

A significant highlight of the pre-conference was the keynote address by Dr. Ayman El Tarabishy. Dr. Tarabishy’s words offered a thought-provoking perspective on the current shift observed in entrepreneurial attitudes. He noted that the concepts Western society has been exploring in recent years, such as social entrepreneurship, the circular economy, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), are deeply rooted in Eastern cultural norms.

“The Western entrepreneurship landscape seems to be moving towards Eastern entrepreneurship,” he said, emphasizing the underlying values of humanity, society, and environmental stewardship that have been core to the East. Though represented in contemporary terms, these concepts reflect ancient Eastern cultural principles. He elaborated on this notion by drawing parallels to the basic elements of earth, wind, fire, and water.

“We may be using newer words, but at its root, we are all connected to the same elements of earth, wind, fire, and water,” Dr. Tarabishy articulated. This profound statement echoed the sentiments of the pre-conference, connecting our global entrepreneurial ventures to the fundamental aspects of our existence.

These elements symbolize a cyclical relationship between humans and nature, much like the tenets of a circular economy, where waste is minimized and resources are continuously reused. They also embody the symbiotic relationship between society and entrepreneurs, reflecting the core tenets of social entrepreneurship.

At its core, the ICSB Forum in Jinju City was an enlightening exploration of Korean entrepreneurship’s uniqueness, set against the country’s rich cultural and natural heritage. The event helped delegates appreciate the inherent linkages between Eastern and Western concepts of entrepreneurship. Through exploring South Korea’s history, culture, and natural beauty, the conference successfully highlighted the interconnectedness of entrepreneurship with wider societal and environmental values.

The event underscored the truth that while languages, terms, and practices may evolve with time, the fundamental essence of entrepreneurship remains connected to the core elements that define us as humans and our relationship with the planet we inhabit. This insightful journey was a vivid reminder that in our pursuit of progress, we should never lose sight of our roots and the principles that bind us together as a global society.

A special thanks to Mayor Cho Kyu-il of Jinju and the City of Jinju for their amazing hospitality. We will always cherish and remember Jinju, the birthplace of K-Entrepreneurship.