Students learn the business of helping communities

Tuesday, 21 September 2010

More than 200 students from primary and secondary schools in the western region of Adelaide will today join charity enterprises and the local community at the University of Adelaide to learn about the business of helping others.

Now in its 14th year, the annual Western Region Enterprise Day event has inspired more than 2300 school students.

Coordinated by the University of Adelaide, the event aims to enlighten students with stories from inspiring social entrepreneurs who are making a positive impact on local and overseas communities.

The keynote speaker for this year's event is Nikki Lovell from One Village, a registered charity that helps people in the Ugandan village of Namwendwa.

South Australian Youth Minister the Hon. Grace Portolesi MP will attend the event, as well as a number of representatives from Charles Sturt, West Torrens, and Port Adelaide Enfield councils.

"The day encourages students to think about the basic business principles that apply to social enterprise and entrepreneurship," says Joe Bennink, Community Engagement Manager at the University of Adelaide.

"It will give students a broader view of future career options and stimulate ideas of pathways to follow."

During the day, secondary students undertake a business analysis of a charity organisation and will present some of the ideas they have gained in a PowerPoint presentation. Primary students will learn about areas of the business cycle and develop a fundraising product of their own. During the opening ceremony, awards will be given to students and schools for enterprise activities.

The Western Region Enterprise Day is supported by the University of Adelaide, City of West Torrens, City of Port Adelaide Enfield, City of Charles Sturt, Western Futures, Advantage SA - Speakers in Schools, SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise), AIESEC and Educational Consultants.

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