SIFE World Headquarters announces a change to the overall team competition judging criteria. This new criterion, which is listed below in bold, will officially replace the previous multi-point criteria beginning with the 2010-2011 program year.

Considering the relevant economic, social and environmental factors, which SIFE team most effectively empowered people in need by applying business and economic concepts and an entrepreneurial approach to improve their quality of life and standard of living?

"We are incredibly enthusiastic about the new criterion and the overwhelmingly positive response we’ve received so far from the field," says Alvin Rohrs, President and CEO of SIFE Worldwide.

The judging criterion is a consistent measure for SIFE teams around the world to have their projects evaluated through a series of regional, national and international competitions. It also helps to define the focus of the SIFE program and serves as a guide for teams as they develop and implement their community outreach projects.

"This change in criteria directly connects our mission to the work of our student teams and it distinguishes SIFE as an organization that is using the positive power of business to improve lives and strengthen communities," says Rohrs. "Building on our strategy to continually enhance the relevance and impact of our program, this criterion provides teams with a clear and compelling mandate, while still preserving their opportunity for creativity – a longstanding hallmark of the SIFE program."

Development of the updated criterion took more than a year and was led by an internal leadership task force. The process involved the participation and feedback of a wide variety of stakeholders from around the world, including global staff, country leaders, faculty advisors and members of the International Advisory Council of Board Chairs. The end product was then presented to Executive Committee of the SIFE Worldwide board of directors for consideration and final approval.

"We are grateful for the tremendous time and energy contributed by so many of our network members to this important initiative," says Sylvester John, Senior Vice President, International. “It was truly a global effort and we will continue to work closely with them to provide the training, materials and resources necessary to ensure a successful transition to the new criterion."

SIFE Country Leaders and program staff have already begun introducing the new criterion to their constituents through presentations and meetings and will continue to conduct training events and provide material for faculty advisors and student participants in the months ahead.