Opening Round of Competition Welcomes National Champions at Enactus World Cup 2016

TORONTO, Sept. 29, 2016 /CNW/ - Today 33 Enactus National Champions will compete in the opening round of competition at Enactus World Cup 2016, taking place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto, Canada. Based on today's results, 16 semi-final round teams will compete on 30 September, for a chance to be named to the final round of four, which will determine the Enactus World Champion.

"KPMG is proud to support Enactus because we see how the power of entrepreneurship can make a difference in the world," says Willy Kruh, Global Chairman, Consumer Markets, National Leader, High Growth Markets Canada, KPMG and Board Member of Enactus Canada, "We are inspired by the creativity and drive these students apply to solving real-world issues."

As part of the Opening Ceremony, Enactus welcomed special guest Swati Dlamini, granddaughter of Nelson Mandela, to share a message of hope, empowerment and equality for the world. In her opening address, she quoted her famous grandfather, stating, "A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination."

Leading global vocal and presentation coach Roger Love also spoke to the audience.  "I've worked with top speakers and celebrities from around the world, and I'm so impressed by the calibre and talent of Enactus students," he said. "I'm here because their voices should be heard loud and clear around the world."

Starting at 5:30 p.m. ET, after today's opening round of competition, and webcast live, the Enactus World Cup will host the Global Goals Forum, announce the Enactus Human Race, present the Action Leaders Panel, and name the 16 semi-finalist teams who will go on to compete Friday morning, starting at 9 a.m. ET.

"The Enactus World Cup shows how students around the world are making a difference through their work by advancing The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, or #GlobalGoals," says Aaron Sherinian, Chief Communications and Marketing Officer for the UN Foundation and guest moderator for the Enactus Global Goals Forum. "It's remarkable to see the impact they are making through entrepreneurial action and innovation."

The final round of presentations, featuring four finalists, will take place on Friday, 30 September.

Elements of the event, including presentations, can be viewed at: www.enactus.org/WorldCup/ and on Facebook Live, and the full event agenda is available for viewing at: www.enactus.org/worldcup/schedule-2016/.

The conversation can be followed on social media @enactus and using the hashtags #WeAllWin and #EnactusWorldCup.

Enactus is an international organization dedicated to inspiring students to improve the world through entrepreneurial action. The Enactus experience transforms both the lives of the people the projects serve, and in turn, the lives of Enactus students as they develop into more effective, values-driven leaders. Founded in 1975, today Enactus has more than 69,000 student participants on over 1,700 campuses in 36 countries. For more information visit www.enactus.org.

SOURCE Enactus

Paula Worthington, 403-585-2429, [email protected]