The tradition of innovation in Peru can be traced back to the very beginnings of civilization on the continent, (the sacred city of Caral dates back some 5,000 years). Peruvians have since developed forms of large-scale agriculture, water and soil management, building technologies, metallurgy, textile manufacturing, astronomy, medicine and so forth. We see evidence of how those innovations have developed in archaeological sites and museums. What makes that so extraordinary, however, is that system used to create and disseminate knowledge is one that exists today. This is the Yachachiq system. The Yachachiqs have not only managed keep that system intact but have succeeded in incorporating modern technology to solve their problems. There are currently 2,000 Yachachiqs living in the Andes involved in the creation of new technology and business ventures with the potential to reduce poverty.
In traditional Andean culture, arts and (technics) are one in the same — a Yachachiq could be a master artisan just as he could be a local mechanic. The term Yachachiq is not a name but the title a community confers on an individual who possesses extraordinary abilities and leadership skills. They already have such incredible technical abilities and creativity. They can even decide whether some information, knowledge or tools would be useful if they could adapt it to serve their needs. When provided with that they can achieve wonders without any outside interference or advice. Yachachiqs are do-it-yourself people; they don’t buy technology and they make their own things from available local materials.
The Yachachiqs are representative of how innovation can take hold in rural settings, but in Peru, as is the case with other developing countries, innovation is found more often in urban environments.
Showing posts with label Development. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Development. Show all posts
Tourism in the Caribbean: Making the Majority count! OMJ Caribbean Business Plan Competition
"Tourism in the Caribbean: Making the Majority count!" is the title of this business plan competition in seven Caribbean countries that has been launched on Dec 9, 2009 by the Opportunities for the Majority (OMJ) initiative of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). If you are interested in participating, check out www.iadb.org/om to get more detailed information. Submissions accepted until April 9, 2010.
Shakira and World Bank
Shakira visits the World Bank headquarters in Washington today to promote early childhood education. The goal is to create early development programs in Latin America and the Caribbean.
New Series on Social Entrepreneurs
BBC World News will be launching an 8-part series on social entrepreneurs around the globe. Alvin’s Guide to Good Business will follow financial expert Alvin Hall as he visits a different social entrepreneur each week. He’ll look at business models, impact, and the challenges of scaling. Featured organizations include Riders for Health, IDE-India, Marine Stewardship Council, Apopo, Partners in Health, Friends International, Camfed and Kiva. The Skoll Foundation partnered with RockhopperTV on the series.
International Development Design Summit
The 2010 International Development Design Summit (IDDS) will take place from 7-30 July at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO, USA. IDDS 2010 will be somewhat different from previous years - whereas past summits focused on creating prototypes, this summit will focus on turning these prototypes into products and getting them into the hands of people who can use them. It is the goal of IDDS 2010 to guide project teams through the process of becoming viable ventures with business plans to disseminate their innovations at scale. Participants will have the opportunity to explore the many challenges of entrepreneurship and technology dissemination for developing markets with a diverse group of people from around the globe.
Running Dry: Call To Action
This documentary explores the growing global water crisis and its staggering toll of some 14,000 quiet preventable deaths per day. Focusing on China, the Middle East, Africa, India, and the United States, Running Dry presents compelling arguments for international cooperation on water issues and highlights some promising grassroots programs to improve access to safe water.
How Technology Can Advance Women Economically
Technology defines our era. In the past few decades, numerous innovations—including
ever-shrinking computers, mobile phones, and alternative energies—have been introduced in homes and workplaces, changing the way we live, how we work, and what we’re able to do. International Center for Research on Women's (ICRW) white paper, Bridging the Gender Divide in Technology: How technology can advance women economically examines why technology is essential to women’s economic advancement and clarifies how it puts the process inmotion by showcasing technologies that have helped women in developing countries to increase their productivity, create new entrepreneurial ventures, or otherwise access new income-generating pursuits.
ever-shrinking computers, mobile phones, and alternative energies—have been introduced in homes and workplaces, changing the way we live, how we work, and what we’re able to do. International Center for Research on Women's (ICRW) white paper, Bridging the Gender Divide in Technology: How technology can advance women economically examines why technology is essential to women’s economic advancement and clarifies how it puts the process inmotion by showcasing technologies that have helped women in developing countries to increase their productivity, create new entrepreneurial ventures, or otherwise access new income-generating pursuits.
Nokia’s Growth Economy Venture Challenge
Nokia is seeking an idea that is worth a $1 million (USD) investment. At CES last week in Las Vegas, Nokia CEO Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo announced the Growth Economy Venture Challenge to encourage innovators and entrepreneurs to create a mobile product or service that raises the standard of living or enhances the lives of those in growth economies worldwide. Ten finalists will be invited to present their ideas and business models to a panel of Nokia business people and private venture capitalists. The innovators may receive business guidance and possibly other funding from participating venture capitalists. Submissions for the Growth Economy Venture Challenge are being accepted now, and the deadline for all submissions is 18 April. The winning organization will be announced in June and will receive a $1 million Nokia investment.
Nestlé Prize in Creating Shared Value - Entries by 31 October
Do you know of a project or innovation seeking to improve access to nutrition, improve rural development or have a significant impact on water management or access to clean water? Go to www.nestle.com for further information about applications.
The Mystery of Capital among the Indigenous Peoples of the Amazon
The Mystery of Capital among the Indigenous Peoples of the Amazon. Hernando de Soto presents a documentary of significance with findings from indigenous communities in Alaska, Canada and the Peruvian jungle.
Buckminster Fuller Challenge
The Buckminster Fuller Institute announces the call for entries to the 2010 Buckminster Fuller Challenge, an annual $100,000 prize program to support the development and implementation of a solution that has significant potential to solve humanity's most pressing problems.
-The deadline for entries is midnight (Eastern time) on OCTOBER 30, 2009.
-For the call for entries, instructions for how to enter, reference materials, and much more, visit: http://challenge.bfi.org
-The deadline for entries is midnight (Eastern time) on OCTOBER 30, 2009.
-For the call for entries, instructions for how to enter, reference materials, and much more, visit: http://challenge.bfi.org
The Buckminster Fuller Challenge from Buckminster Fuller Institute on Vimeo.
Global Social Entrepreneurship Competition
Students around the world are invited to submit an idea for an innovative, commercially-sustainable business that addresses a problem of poverty in the developing world to the Global Social Entrepreneurship Competition (GSEC).
GSEC engages creative minds across the globe to encourage bolder and less conventional business solutions to global poverty. Open to students worldwide—and across fields of study—GSEC plans are judged on the quality of life in the developing world, financial sustainability, and implementation feasibility.
GSEC engages creative minds across the globe to encourage bolder and less conventional business solutions to global poverty. Open to students worldwide—and across fields of study—GSEC plans are judged on the quality of life in the developing world, financial sustainability, and implementation feasibility.
International Development Design Summit
Chlorine Dosing Team
Cool Storage Team
Shea Oil Extraction Team
Water Problems in Developing Countries
InnoCentive have posted a Challenge looking for proposals for an upcoming Challenge that will address a problem in the developing world, specifically related to water. The Seeker will pay out at least $8000 in awards. The problem must be one that warrants quick resolution and can be accomplished at a relatively low cost.
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