Six social entrepreneurs have been recognized as Social Entrepreneur of the Year 2010 in Latin America during the Presidents Plenary session of the World Economic Forum on Latin America, held in Cartagena, Colombia, on 8 April. Suzana and Claudio Padua, founders of Instituto de Pesquisas Ecologicas, had previously been recognized as Social Entrepreneur of the Year Brazil. The other four winners are David Gaus from Ecuador, Vladimir Delagneau from Nicargua, and Joseph Philippe and Anne Hastings from Haiti. Read portraits of the winners here.

They received their awards in the presence of President Uribe from Colombia and President Martinelli from Panama. 

Social entrepreneurs emphasize long-term sustainability instead of short-term gains. Their primary focus is to maximize benefits for society and the environment by implementing innovative approaches to key challenges. They operate social businesses or organizations that are a mixture of non-profits and for-profits.