A collection of new host organizations is extending the reach of Global Entrepreneurship Week through 2011, bringing the total number of officially participating campaigns to 111. The recently added countries are: Angola, Antigua, Gambia, Ireland, Saint Lucia, Switzerland, and Syria.
In addition, three countries with existing GEW campaigns have enlisted new leadership. These are: Belgium, Pakistan and Rwanda.
The total marks the fourth year of continued growth for Global Entrepreneurship Week.
Like most—if not all—new ventures, GEW started with an idea. What if there were a global movement to inspire people everywhere to embrace entrepreneurship? Representatives from 37 countries were on hand when GEW was launched in 2007 by Carl Schramm, president and CEO of the Kauffman Foundation, and Gordon Brown, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. By November 2008, 40 more countries had officially signed on—as 3 million people participated in 25,022 events and activities. By the end of GEW 2010, the movement had reached 104 countries—under the guidance and direction of the Public Forum Institute in Washington, DC, and Enterprise UK in London.
The new countries and respective host organizations are:

• ANGOLA Angola Forum for Competitive Knowledge, Innovation and Development (FACIDE) focuses on the development of entrepreneurship in Angola.
• ANTIGUA Gilbert Agricultural & Rural Development Center (GARDC) in the Eastern Caribbean is a training facility that provides entrepreneurial and employment alternatives in agricultural and rural based enterprises for young men and women.
• GAMBIA American Chamber of Commerce, Gambia is a partnership of business professionals working together to aid the community and build a healthy economy.
• IRELAND Think Ireland Inc. is a movement of innovative and creative leaders seeking to rebuild Ireland’s economy through entrepreneurial spirit and activity. 
• SAINT LUCIA St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture provides their community with a wide range of services aimed at achieving growth and prosperity. For years, they have served as trainers, advocates, researchers, community representatives, and facilitators in the development of business opportunities. 
• SWITZERLAND Startup Weekend Switzerland is a network of leaders and entrepreneurs with the mission to educate and empower individuals, teams and communities. 
• SYRIA BIDAYA is a private, non-profit foundation dedicated to helping young entrepreneurs in Syria succeed. They provide selected applicants with volunteer business mentors and give them access to their business support network. 

The new hosts taking over already existing GEW campaigns are: 

• BELGIUM TiE Belgium is a non-profit network of entrepreneurs and professionals that seeks to develop the ecosystem of entrepreneurship and free-market economies. 
• PAKISTAN Alternate Solutions is a team of university professors and business entrepreneurs working to make a positive impact on society by connecting people, resources, and stakeholders.
• RWANDA Entrepreneurship Alliance

tags: Angola, Antigua, Belgium, Gambia, Ireland, Pakistan, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Switzerland, Syria