Promoting Young Entrepreneurship – Global Parents Judge Morocco's Winning National SIFE Team

GWA’s commitment to ‘equipping minds; building character’ reaches out beyond our campus.

On Tuesday evening, September 27, GWA hosted Morocco’s SIFE National Championship winners. The 20 plus member team of Faculté des Sciences Juridiques et Sociales of Settat presented their near-final presentation to a panel of judges consisting of Global parents and staff who are also business owners. And a GWA senior, joined the panel.

Morocco's Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE) National Team recently competed at the George Washington Academy and are welcomed by Deborah MacArthur, President, Global Education, and Majid El Ghaib, President, SIFE Morocco.

The SIFE National team presented their four “beldi-bio” business projects to an adult panel of business-savvy critics including: Meredith Allen Belghiti, lawyer with Kettani cabinet, Executive Committee Member of Global Education and GWA parent: Steven Wills, owner/operator of Walsman Associates and Chair, School Board; David Bult, owner/operator of Green Sahara Funiture, School Board Member and GWA parent; Houda El Alaoui,; Western Union responsible for African Supply Chain; Saida Oumchama, founder of Menara; Tom Relth, GWA Art Professor.

Their project underscored empowerment, sustainability, financial gain, jobs for the unemployed, and represented a powerful outreach to women and men living below poverty rate.

Watching these young, fresh minds inspired those in attendance to help build a better Morocco. As a country that is in continuous development, these young leaders are truly the future of Morocco and GWA students will soon follow their path. Their commitment and perseverance in endorsing businesses, environment, economy, and employment were a source of stimulation and inspiration to work hard and create new viable and sustainable businesses.

The 2011 SIFE World Cup will provide a showcase of the impact that SIFE teams are achieving around the world and will bring together an international network of more than 1,500 student, academic, and business leaders from more than 39 countries.

After reading about our event, the Consul General of the US Embassy, Casablanca, Brian Shukan expressed his appreciation for the initiative of the GWA team in stepping forward to support these young leaders. At the evening’s conclusion, Ms. Deborah MacArthur , President, Global Education, expressed her delight in the work, enthusiasm and passion that these young Moroccans undertook in the service of their country. It was clear to all that these university students stand ready to create viable change for their country.

The twenty-plus member SIFE Morocco Team departed for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for a week of presentations. Only one of the 39 teams will leave victorious. We all await the good news from the SIFE Morocco Team. Learn more at: http://www.sife.org/worldcup/morocco.asp

By Adil Skalli, GWA Senior

Student Editor: Anne Lottman

Teacher/Advisor: Tom Relth