Ryerson University Students Named National Champions of the Environment

Student team takes home national title for their work with farmers Kenya.

TORONTO, ON (May 7, 2013) – Ryerson University has been named the 2013 Scotiabank EcoLiving Green Challenge National Champion by charitable organization Enactus Canada and proud supporter Scotiabank. The national competition took place at the 2013 Enactus Canada National Exposition on May 7 in Toronto.

The Scotiabank EcoLiving Green Challenge is a national competition empowering post-secondary students to develop and deliver projects that teach others viable solutions to relevant environmental issues. The Enactus team from Ryerson University embodied the values of environmental awareness and responsibility to win this challenge by creating 10 new jobs, increasing crop yields and empowering a small community in Kenya.

“It is clear from the quality of projects submitted at this year’s competition that youth are leading the way toward a greener future in Canada,” said Kaz Flinn, Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility for Scotiabank. “Initiatives like this one encourage all of us to begin thinking about sustainable solutions that will benefit ourselves, our families and the communities we call home. Scotiabank is proud to once again be supporting Enactus Canada as part of our environmental program, Scotiabank EcoLiving.”

Enactus Ryerson educated 10 local farmers on the environmental benefits of bee keeping and honey production, which introduced 320,000 bees to the local area and pollinated 8,658 acres of farmland.

“Enactus Ryerson is dedicated to sustainability and enabling environmental progress in Canada,” says Nicole Almond, Enactus Canada president. “Enactus Canada is inspired by the ingenuity of our students, who will undoubtedly continue to empower others to become more environmentally responsible.”

The 2013 Enactus Canada National Exposition welcomed more than 1,200 delegates including the country’s brightest university and college students, academic professionals and top Canadian CEOs to enable progress by supporting entrepreneurial action through competition, recognition and education.

For news throughout the year and competition results during the event, please visit @Enactus_Canada on Twitter.

-30-

ABOUT ENACTUS CANADA: Enactus Canada is a community of student, academic and business leaders enabling progress through entrepreneurial action. Guided by academic advisors and business experts, more than 2,300 student leaders create and implement over 350 community empowerment projects and business ventures every year in communities coast to coast. As a global network of 39 countries, Enactus uses the power of entrepreneurial action to transform lives and shape a better, more sustainable world. For more information, visit enactus.ca.