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Last week senior business and government leaders took to the streets of Perth selling copies of The Big Issue magazine ’, to shine a spotlight on street paper vendors around the world.

Amongst more than 60 sellers nationally taking part in the CEO Selling campaign was our Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Community and Engagement) Kent Anderson, who joined local seller Manfred on the UWA campus for the morning. It was great to see UWA staff and students support for the sale, and with Manfred being a familiar face on campus, we hope you continue to support him throughout the year!

The Australian version of The Big Issue magazine is one of 113 street papers sold in 34 countries. Vendors are not employees of the Big Issue; rather they buy copies of the magazine for $3.50 and sell them for $7, earning the difference. Through selling street papers, homeless, disadvantaged and marginalised people have the opportunity to improve their lives by earning an income and re-engaging with society.

The magazine is just one of many enterprises and programs run by not-for-profit organisation The Big Issue to provide participants with the support and tools necessary to help them make positive changes to their lives. In 2016 UWA will be partnering further with this great organisation on a number of ventures, including ‘ The Big Idea’ , a national competition for university undergraduate and postgraduate students.

This, however, is no ordinary competition. Students will engage in a unique learning experience as they develop their own social enterprise idea – something that has the potential to change the lives of thousands of homeless and disadvantaged Australians. By taking part students will gain access to social enterprise practitioners, Australian ‘thought leaders’ and experts across a variety of business sectors who will help them shape their ideas into viable business plans.

Further information on The Big Idea competition is available on The Big Issue website . You can also keep up to date with The Big Issue on Twitter and Facebook