The Global Enterprise Experience is an international business competition that develops skills in managing across cultures, time zones, world views and levels of wealth and poverty. It builds a mindset for creating successful business ventures that tackle social and environmental issues.
The 2013 contest will run from May 1 to May 22 and the prize giving will be held in June 2013
Enrolment is now open until April 18, it is free, and there are no restrictions on who may enrol. Participants usually enrol as pairs, although single enrolments are also accepted. On May 1 enrollees receive an email introducing them to their team of eight members. All teams will have members from countries that are rich and poor, big and small, with diverse world views and time zones. Multinational teams compete, not countries.
Participants are generally students, graduate or undergraduate, who are studying international business, international relations, development, peace studies, management, business communications, information systems or marketing. Participants have also included entrepreneurs and citizens seeking to foster their skills in working in global teams. To date 4,400 students from 180 universities in 68 countries have participated.
In 2013, participants will be set the task:
"Write a six page business concept proposal for a profitable product or service that addresses a millennium goal of the United Nations Development Programme (www.undp.org)."
In addition, each participant is required to submit a one-page journal that outlines their experience and insights. Only those who have submitted a journal are eligible to win any of the prizes.
Participants communicate using interactive technology on the web. Easy access to computer resources and broadband helps but many participants have won using internet cafes, dial up services, and meagre access to computers.
Under "Archives" are examples of past reports and journals as well as heart warming stories of extraordinary commitment. Please click here for an A4 poster to promote this contest in your university or organisation.
Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand's capital city is the home of the contest. This is the tenth contest.
We are distressed that Aziz-u-llah Samandari, an award winner from this contest, was imprisoned in Iran for five years for doing what we are celebrating every other student in this contest for doing - getting an education and participating as a great team member with colleagues around the world. He has been charged with being a student of the Baha'i Institute of Higher Education (BIHE) and communicating with foreigners. BIHE is a university set up in kitchens and living rooms across Iran to educate members of the Baha'i Faith in response to the Iranian Government ban on Baha'is studying in university. Their vice chancellor has been imprisoned for 20 years and five BIHE professors have been imprisoned for between four and five years charged with educating Baha'i youth in diverse subjects like accounting, science and information technology. We fear for their safety. The Baha'i Faith is a peaceful religion that accepts the unity of all religions and eschews all political action. The organisers of the Global Enterprise Experience urge the Iranian Government to release Aziz-u-llah Samandari.
