BE OPEN Unveils Winners of the Prestigious Competition
BE OPEN has officially announced the winners of the Public Vote and Founder's Choice Prizes in its international competition, Designing Futures 2050. This ongoing initiative encourages students, graduates, and young professionals to engage creatively with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
A Platform for Creativity and Impact
The Designing Futures 2050 competition focuses on reinterpreting the SDGs through contemporary lenses, challenging participants to develop actionable and scalable strategies to address global issues. Submissions were encouraged across three main themes: Battling the Problems of Today, Creating the Visions of Tomorrow, and Adjusting the SDGs.
Elena Baturina's Vision
Elena Baturina, the founder of BE OPEN, expressed her enthusiasm regarding the outcome of the competition, stating, "Every year, we witness a plethora of inspiring and imaginative projects from talented individuals worldwide. This engagement highlights the importance of educating and motivating youth, which we believe is crucial for fostering meaningful change. We aim to mentor a generation equipped to meet future challenges through creativity and collaboration."
Recognizing Innovative Solutions
This year, the Founder's Choice Prize, valued at 3000 euros, was awarded to Jeanne Begon-Lours and Lucy Dain-Williams, who are pursuing an MSc in Environmental Technology at Imperial College London. Their project, titled Tera Mira: Working with Nature to Drive Meaningful Change in Stretch Textiles, focuses on creating a bio-based, biodegradable alternative to elastane derived from the natural stretch qualities of seaweed.
Tera Mira's innovative approach not only promises sustainability but also effectively emulates the elasticity of elastane, minimizing reliance on fossil fuels while addressing issues like toxicity and microplastic pollution.
Public Vote Prize Winner Highlights
The award for the Public Vote Prize and a grant of 2000 euros was claimed by Komborero Victor Kangai and Tinotenda Chrispen Makoni, students of Physics, Maths, and Computer Science from the High Achievers Coach International Academy. Their project, CALMs: Computer Aided Learning Management Suite, aims to bridge the educational divide in Zimbabwe.
CALMs is an innovative e-learning platform that employs Television White Spaces (TVWS) technology, enabling affordable and reliable connectivity. This allows for offline learning, ensuring educational access even in areas with limited network connectivity.
Opportunities Beyond Awards
In addition to the monetary awards, all winners will benefit from access to valuable educational opportunities and a fully sponsored trip to a significant sustainability event, providing them a platform to showcase their projects to global audiences and decision-makers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Designing Futures 2050 competition?
This is an international competition encouraging innovative solutions that support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) among students and young professionals.
Who are the notable winners of this year's competition?
Jeanne Begon-Lours and Lucy Dain-Williams received the Founder's Choice Prize, while Komborero Victor Kangai and Tinotenda Chrispen Makoni won the Public Vote Prize.
What are the main themes of the competition?
The competition focused on tackling contemporary issues, envisioning the future, and adjusting the SDGs to current realities.
Are there additional benefits for the winners besides cash prizes?
Yes, winners will have access to further educational opportunities and a sponsored trip to a major event focused on sustainability.
How can participants engage with BE OPEN and the Designing Futures competition?
BE OPEN fosters a creative community for young innovators interested in sustainability and encourages participation through its various initiatives and competitions.
