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Enactus UWA (formerly Students in Free Enterprise [SIFE]) students will begin 2013 with a two-day camp to develop their leadership skills while exploring and discussing ideas around development, poverty, and social justice.

The Empower Camp will give Enactus UWA students the opportunity to further hone their current projects, all of which use an entrepreneurial approach to help marginalised communities through empowerment.

Last year, these projects saw the Enactus UWA team win the Australian Enactus championships, going on to compete at the Enactus World Cup in Washington DC, where they reached the semi-finals.

Enactus UWA Co-president Shannon Ziegelaar said participating in the Enactus World Cup inspired the team to continue striving to make a difference to local and international communities.

"Enactus World Cup was a phenomenal experience," she said.

"We got the chance to meet business leaders from all over the globe and made some valuable contacts to propel our projects forward.  Most of all, it was an opportunity to be inspired by other students and understand the potential that an organisation like Enactus , with its unique formula, has to make a real difference in the world."

In addition to competing, the team was inspired by students from 37 countries, participated in round table discussions with top business executives, and-after the conclusion of the World Cup-met the Hon Kim Beazley AC, Australia's Ambassador to the United States of America.

Enactus UWA's projects include: reSHOE, a microfinance initiative which recycles shoes while assisting low income earners in Ghana; ProjectTHINK, which introduces a truly environmentally friendly jute bag into Australia; The Fair Trade Pop Up Shop, which aims to raise local demand for Fair Trade products; Mama Shujaa, a microfinance project which empowers women in Kenyan slums to establish their own café; and Finance for Life, an Australian Securities and Investments Commission accredited project that introduces basic financial concepts to students.

Enactus is an international non-profit organisation that brings together student, academic and business leaders who are committed to using the power of entrepreneurial action to improve the quality of life and standard of living for people in need.

The Enactus UWA team, based at the UWA Business School, includes students studying Commerce, Arts, Law, Science, Engineering and Music, all of whom are passionate about implementing positive business projects to improve the lives of disadvantaged people.

UWA students interested in joining the Enactus UWA team, or individuals or organisations interested in becoming sponsors or partners, should visit enactusuwa.org or email [email protected] .

Media references

Rhonda Flottmann (UWA Business School)  (+61 8)  6488 2925
Verity Chia (UWA Business School)  (+61 8)  6488 1346