New Judging Criteria for Program Year 2008-2009

During the last decade, the world has seen a gradual, yet long-overdue focus on the sustainability of our environment. Numerous influential organizations have incorporated social responsibility and environmental programs as core initiatives. The United Nations included a topic on “Environmental Sustainability” as part of its Millennium Development Goals: to help steer the world’s focus on this key issue and to converge our energies on making a substantial and lasting difference in our world.

SIFE has always believed that every positive step counts and that our teams of dedicated students really have made this world a better place. Thanks to the efforts of all of our constituents, especially the teams, we’ve created a powerful and positive movement that has empowered millions to become more productive participants in the global economy. In so doing, we’ve created new economic opportunities for others by educating them about Market Economics, Success Skills, Entrepreneurship, Financial Literacy, and Business Ethics. One question we have not asked directly is how has SIFE helped create economic opportunity for others by helping them make more environmentally sustainable decisions.

We believe it is now time for SIFE to enter the dialogue and offer positive solutions to the challenge of providing economic opportunity while also helping create a more sustainable environment.

SIFE World Headquarters is, therefore, adding a new criterion on environmental sustainability in the 2008-2009 SIFE year (i.e. effective at the 2009 SIFE competitions).

This change will not take effect and will have no impact at the upcoming 2008 SIFE World Cup in Singapore.

With this 2008-2009 change, note that all previous criteria will remain the same, with only a minor shift in the order of the individual topics. Please review the new criterion (the fifth criterion highlighted below) and feel free to contact your SIFE Country representative(s) with any questions you may have. New SIFE program materials reflecting this change will be made available online and in hardcopy in due course.

We hope that you will embrace the new addition and share in the excitement of all the new opportunities the Environmental Sustainability criterion will create for your team, your community, and the world.

SIFE Judging Criteria (2009 SIFE Year)

How effectively did the SIFE team measure and demonstrate that it created economic opportunity by helping others:

• Understand how a market based economic systems operates.
• Acquire the education and skills training needed to succeed in a dynamic, competitive global economy.
• Learn how to succeed as an entrepreneur and/or improve an existing business.
• Develop the personal financial management skills necessary to achieve financial independence.
• Make environmentally sustainable personal and business decisions.
• Understand that the long-term success and prosperity of a market economy, businesses and individuals are dependent on ethical business practices.
• How successfully did the team develop and execute a strategy to ensure the long-term sustainability of their team and educational programs.

Sincerely,

Alvin Rohrs
President & CEO
SIFE World Headquarters