The planetecole blog has usually been reserved for promoting the work of a variety of people who have made differences in their communities after their experiences abroad through international exchanges, scholarships, internships, or forms of citizen diplomacy. Today we present a slight departure from our typical blog post and will talk about a project in which we have gotten involved as a result of our experience abroad. We rarely “toot our own horn,” but this is for a higher cause in any event.
Over a year ago we applied to the Philips Livable Cities Award. We read about the program on the internet as we have a strong interest in livable and sustainable cities. This interest has been our avocation for some time.
Then, we saw Richard Florida, a well-known urban studies professor, on CNN, and learned more about the Philips Awards program. The program he was pitching on CNN didn’t call for being an urban planner, just being an interested individual who is involved in some way with his or her community. Thus, based on our experiences living in Sanaa, Yemen and knowing some of the challenges and opportunities that face citizens there, we decided that we would submit an idea we had tested on a small scale—rainwater harvesting—and which met the Philips objectives of having a simple idea that is implementable and replicable.
In January this year, we learned that our project had been short-listed as a semi-finalist from over 450 project proposals submitted from 29 countries around the world! As a follow up, an online voting program opened in late February with Philips media support.
We faced a challenge there as online voting occurred during the Arab Spring uprisings and ended in late March. In April, we were invited to take part in the awards ceremony in Amsterdam, which is not only a very livable city from a transportation perspective but also a great place for cycling (one of our favorite activities). In the afternoon, all eight finalists met as a group and had an opportunity to network with each other. We met some great individuals and hope to highlight some of their efforts in future blogs.
The next evening was the black tie gala awards ceremony at one of the world’s most famous museums—the Rijksmuseum. As we’ve mentioned to countless friends, how many people have the opportunity to dine under famous Rembrandts and other works of art?! Incredible . . . and special thanks to the Rijksmuseum and Philips for organizing such an elegant event with dignitaries, including the Deputy Mayor of Amsterdam, representatives from the office of the Mayor of Suchi (Russian city to host 2014 Olympics), and the U.S. Ambassador to the Netherlands.
At the gala event, it was an honor and pleasure to meet famous urban planners and practitioners. There were a number of representatives from Philips including the CEO of Philips Benelux Henri Hendriks–and the mistress of ceremonies, former CNN journalist Valerie Coleman-Morris, who filmed and promoted the ideas for public vote. (She is a great supporter of women entrepreneurism .) We look forward to hearing more from all of the business leaders, idea-makers and journalists in the future.
Of course the most special part of the evening occurred near the latter half. This is when we learned that our project was the first prize winner!!!!
We had no thought about being the winner and were stunned. The panelists had decided:
Finally, with this posting, there are two themes we’d like to share:
Over a year ago we applied to the Philips Livable Cities Award. We read about the program on the internet as we have a strong interest in livable and sustainable cities. This interest has been our avocation for some time.
Then, we saw Richard Florida, a well-known urban studies professor, on CNN, and learned more about the Philips Awards program. The program he was pitching on CNN didn’t call for being an urban planner, just being an interested individual who is involved in some way with his or her community. Thus, based on our experiences living in Sanaa, Yemen and knowing some of the challenges and opportunities that face citizens there, we decided that we would submit an idea we had tested on a small scale—rainwater harvesting—and which met the Philips objectives of having a simple idea that is implementable and replicable.
In January this year, we learned that our project had been short-listed as a semi-finalist from over 450 project proposals submitted from 29 countries around the world! As a follow up, an online voting program opened in late February with Philips media support.
We faced a challenge there as online voting occurred during the Arab Spring uprisings and ended in late March. In April, we were invited to take part in the awards ceremony in Amsterdam, which is not only a very livable city from a transportation perspective but also a great place for cycling (one of our favorite activities). In the afternoon, all eight finalists met as a group and had an opportunity to network with each other. We met some great individuals and hope to highlight some of their efforts in future blogs.
The next evening was the black tie gala awards ceremony at one of the world’s most famous museums—the Rijksmuseum. As we’ve mentioned to countless friends, how many people have the opportunity to dine under famous Rembrandts and other works of art?! Incredible . . . and special thanks to the Rijksmuseum and Philips for organizing such an elegant event with dignitaries, including the Deputy Mayor of Amsterdam, representatives from the office of the Mayor of Suchi (Russian city to host 2014 Olympics), and the U.S. Ambassador to the Netherlands.
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| Photo Courtesy of Philips. Photography by Robert Aarts. Finalists at Philips in Amsterdam. |
At the gala event, it was an honor and pleasure to meet famous urban planners and practitioners. There were a number of representatives from Philips including the CEO of Philips Benelux Henri Hendriks–and the mistress of ceremonies, former CNN journalist Valerie Coleman-Morris, who filmed and promoted the ideas for public vote. (She is a great supporter of women entrepreneurism .) We look forward to hearing more from all of the business leaders, idea-makers and journalists in the future.
Of course the most special part of the evening occurred near the latter half. This is when we learned that our project was the first prize winner!!!!
We had no thought about being the winner and were stunned. The panelists had decided:
“What really impressed us with the scheme was the proposed execution of a relatively simple concept that will have such a significant impact on the lives of so many people across the city of Sana’a. We’re looking forward to seeing the idea come to life and improving the health and well-being of the residents of Sana’a.”Thank you Philips! Special thanks to all of the supporters of this project, and most importantly thank you Yemen--the challenges that you’ve presented have always been opportunities for learning and growth.
Finally, with this posting, there are two themes we’d like to share:
- If you have a good idea that is simple and seeks a positive change, try to make it happen; and
- Look for opportunities that are win-win and submit your proposal for funding.
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