SIFE and Awake International merge

SIFE Tilburg, the student platform for social entrepreneurship, and Awake International Tilburg, the student association for world affairs, have merged. It’s the decline of members that led to this decision.

“The last board change meant the departure of experienced people. There was a risk that both clubs would not survive. Together we have a better chance”, explains former SIFE chairman Majid El Massoudi. The associations cooperated earlier on volunteer projects in Tilburg.

Awake International’s primary aim is to raise awareness of global issues, focusing on human rights, development and environment. It did so by organizing benefit parties, lectures and symposiums for students. Awake Tilburg will continue to exist as a SIFE project, without the awareness theme.

SIFE stands for Students in Free Enterprise and is active in 42 countries. The purpose of the nonprofit organization is to create economic opportunities for disadvantaged people in society. Its motto: A head for business, a heart for the world. Participating students form teams to work out sustainable business ideas and look for business partners. The students also do volunteer work in Tilburg: help the elderly, the homeless and less-privileged children with a set-back in school. In addition they raise funds for sustainable projects abroad, such as building a primary school in Kabul.

SIFE Tilburg was established in 2008, but has achieved quite a bit so far. At the SIFE National Competition in May the SIFE Tilburg team reached third place. The award was given for their total of achievements. “We have grown as a team, many lecturers support our projects and we have raised a lot of money. SIFE is now entirely self-sufficient”, says El Massoudi.

The new SIFE Tilburg chairperson is Mila Djurdjevic. She was treasurer of Awake International last year. Her goal is to increase the number of members from 65 to 100 and to make SIFE more visible on campus. “We will put more effort in promoting our activities. And we aim to win the national SIFE competition of course.”