November 2015 NUI Galway Students Attended the Enactus World Cup in South Africa

Enactus, an international, not-for-profit organisation, provides a platform for third-level students to create community development projects

Four students from NUI Galway recently attended the Enactus World Cup in Johannesburg, South Africa. Orlagh Reynolds, Billy Delaney, Aaron Molloy and Leanne Burke travelled as part of a group of 40 Irish students representing Team Ireland at the Enactus World Cup 2015 in October.

Enactus is an international, not-for-profit organisation which provides a platform for third-level students to create community development projects, while developing the skills to become socially responsible business leaders of the future.

A total of 5,000 students, from 36 countries, gathered at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg for the three-day international conference which saw some of the world’s brightest, innovative and entrepreneurial students present their social enterprises to some of the world’s leading business figures with the hope of being crowned the Enactus World Champion. This year's World Cup winners were the UK, with their incredible projects focused on Education, Equality and Empowerment.

One highlight of the World Cup was the opportunity that all students had to attend interactive, collaborative sessions with business leaders from many leading companies such as KPMG, Coca-Cola and Unilever focused on various global social issues.

Billy Delaney, one of the NUI Galway students who travelled to the World Cup, said: “I attended KPMG's session on Sustainable Development. It provided students with a platform to discuss and investigate the Sustainable Development Goals. In a group with students across the world we brainstormed and delivered solutions. This approach educated me on a global level and allowed me to see the bigger picture.”

Another highlight of the World Cup was the chance to experience the beauty and culture of South Africa, as well as the culture of all other teams. Commenting on the trip student Aaron Molloy said: “The Enactus World Cup is one of those enlightening, experiences that you will never forget. The ‘rainbow nation’ truly offered all the international guests the warmest of welcomes.”

For more information on Enactus NUI Galway email enactus@socs.nuigalway.ie or visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NuiGalwayEnactus/.

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