Nearly 700 entrepreneurs and others from 78 countries tuned in for an interactive webinar last week to learn more about Global Entrepreneurship Week. "Opportunities and Challenges: Dialogue with Global Entrepreneurs” was broadcast by the U.S. State Department and featured Jonathan Ortmans, president of Global Entrepreneurship Week, and Shelly Porges, a senior advisor for the State Department's Global Entrepreneurship Program. 

Discussion ranged from topics of women’s entrepreneurship and empowerment to engaging diaspora entrepreneurs in their home countries and raising seed stage funding in Africa and the Middle East. Meanwhile, audience members engaged in their own discussions as well--requesting additional information on funding sources, crowdsourced fundraising and specific GEW programming. 

An archived version of the webinar is available for on-demand viewing from the State Department's Bureau of International Information Programs.

In other GEW news from around the world:

• Blake Mycoskie, founder and Chief Shoe Giver of TOMS Shoes has participated in a number of GEW events and activities over the years. This year, the role model for entrepreneurs looking to do well and do good simultaneously is urging University of Buffalo students to "Start Something that Matters" during GEW/USA.
• The city of Hull has always fully embraced Global Entrepreneurship Week with a variety of activities--2012 promises more of the same for the town in England. Not convinced? Check out the launch video unveiled last week that shows Hull's commitment to youth at The Exchange at Wilberforce Court with Hull Esteem.
• BEL.BIZ recently outlined a few key events during GEW/Belarus--topped by the ICT Conference in cooperation with the International Finance Corporation and StartUp Day with the country's Ministry of Economy.
• Seven finalists were announced for the 2012 Australian Clean Technologies Competition, linked to the Cleantech Open, a featured activity of Global Entrepreneurship Week.
• Seven finalists were also announced for the StartUp Cup in Tulsa (U.S.), a featured activity of Global Entrepreneurship Week.
• Toronto is the scene for Urban Revolution 2012, a fashion show focused on environmental innovation, during GEW/Canada.
• GEW/UK would like to ask you, "What's your business Need2Know?" Entrepreneurs looking for practical advice can submit questions for consideration through the GEW/UK website or tweet #Need2Know to @GEWUK.
• The Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship is hosting a series of Open for Business festivals as a lead-in to GEW/South Africa.
• Steve Cheah talks about his vision for GEW/Thailand in a recent editorial for The Nation.
• Older entrepreneurs deserve recognition as well--and they will get it during GEW/UK through the Prince's Initiative for Mature Enterprise. The 'Senior Entrepreneur of the Year' will be announced at London's BT Centre on November 14.
• Startup Pitches are on the agenda for a GEW/Serbia meetup thanks to organizing partner Startup Serbia.
• GEW/UK would like to ask you, "What's your business Need2Know?" Entrepreneurs looking for practical advice can submit questions for consideration through the GEW/UK website or tweet #Need2Know to @GEWUK.
• GEW/USA partner BOSI has a tool which assesses a person's entrepreneurial DNA.
• NFTE announced recently that it is accepting submissions to its World Series of Innovation, a featured activity of Global Entrepreneurship Week.
• The Global Entrepreneurship Congress earlier this year helped foster some promising ties between the cities of Liverpool and Atlanta. Mark your calendars for GEC 2013 in Rio de Janeiro next March 18-21.

tags: global, State Department