rE-Use it!

Geneva Shapers –rE-Use Gare Cornavin train station

Creating impact is about finding a space where change can happen. For many Global Shaper Hubs around the world this space is found where there is an urgent need for change: climate change, migration, education, security, and public health, etc. For us, Global Shapers in Geneva, this space for positive impact was found in a trashcan – literally! – and decided to tackle the problem of electronic waste (also known as e-waste).

Switzerland is the 2nd highest e-waste generator per capita (26.3 kg/inh.) according to the United Nations Global e-waste monitor. Although in Switzerland - as in most European countries - there is detailed regulation regarding collection and e-waste processing, Swiss citizens are generally unaware of the impact of their “e-trash”.

This habit is at the hearth of the problem and here is why we created project rE-Use.

rE-Use project originally started with the idea to embed educational contents in second-hand devices. But later, it evolved as we realized the impact of re-utilizing and recycling devices at the national level. Through rE-Use, we aim to create community awareness around the e-waste issue. Every year, thousands of electronic devices are tossed by corporations and individuals, just to be replaced by new ones. At the same time, there is a huge demand of devices to be used by non-profit organizations for educational and operational purposes. So, before any old but functioning device is thrown into a trash can, we decided to interrupt the vicious cycle and give a second life to those devices.

Thanks to the 2015 Shaping a Better Future challenge grant, sponsored by Coca Cola, the Geneva Global Shapers prepared an awareness raising campaign to invite individuals and organizations to donate their devices. Over the last year, we reached out to our employers, friends and other people in our network. And they did respond to our call: Uber has actively supported our online campaign, while P&G and Salesforce have donated some of their corporate desktops. Many individuals have also donated their laptops after seeing our Facebook and Twitter posts.

On 21st January, we extended our call for donations at Geneva’s main train station, Gare Cornavin: during a 6-hour in-person outreach campaign, we directly reached out to more than 700 people about the important issue of e-waste, and explained how they can help their community by giving their devices a second life. Any computer, cellphone, monitor, tablet, iPod that is “useless” to many, for the Geneva Shapers represents a unique resource to improve the life of those most in need. It could be an opportunity for amigrant to learn the local language, or for an unemployed person to learn new skills that will enable her to find a new job. rE-Use is about empowering people by giving your tech device a second chance.

In our digital communications campaign, we reached out a total of 177,000 people counting together website visitors, social media visitors, live-stream viewers and partners’ online channels reach. Many of our donors mentioned they saw our ad and wanted to contribute to the project.

Do you want to help local Swiss organizations by donating your old functioning device or replicate the project in your Hub?Join us on our project page and get in touch! Let’s shape our community together!

See all photos and live-streamed video of the event STOP E-WASTE! on our Facebook page

Geneva hub wins the "Shaping a Better Future" challenge

We are proud to announce that our hub flagship project, Reading for Change, is among the 5 projects that won the Shaping a Better Future challenge by The Coca Cola Company. The Geneva Hub will receive US $ 10,000 in acceleration funding for this project. We started Reading for Change in Geneva with the aim to improve integration and give more people access to information and education. We do this by collecting second-hand tech devices such as eBook readers, laptops, MP3-players etc., and uploading them with educational content. We then distribute these pre-loaded devices to selected associations, so that they can use them for specific free skills trainings and language courses.This way, we ensure that a virtuous recycling of technologies is matched with actual needs. Some of our partners include companies (such as Procter & Gamble) who have donated old/unused devices, and community-based associations (such as Espace Solidaire Paquis) who receive these devices in support of their social activities.Some of the key project milestones include:

• Delivered 35 devices that enabled Espace Solidaire Paquis to conduct free multimedia language courses and IT skills trainings

• Established a trusted relation with P&G on the suppliers-end

• Created and shared a blueprint to help other fellow hubs establish their own local chapter of R4C

• Connected with hubs in Canada, France and Morocco for future expansion

After the initial local success, we are now working to scale up the project globally and are partnering with other hubs in the Global Shapers Community. So far, we have produced a comprehensive, easy to read blueprint to help other hubs reapply this project in their communities. We are certain that this combination of rapid local execution and seamless global re-application can help improve the lives of thousands of communities around the world.This award is a testament to the hard work of our team and will allow us to maximize impact in our community and beyond.  With this Coca-Cola grant, we now plan to scale up Reading for Change by:

• getting higher quality content;

• exploring options to promote e-waste reduction;

• offering strong support to other Hubs for the project implementation.

We thank all the Global Shapers for votes and great support over the last few months. We also congratulate the Kathmandu Hub on winning the 2015 Grand Prize Winner of the Shaping a Better Future challenge for their Nepal Earthquake Relief Project, as well as the other finalists: Cartagena Hub, Columbia, with the Water for Life project, Chandigarh Hub, India, with the I Break My Silence project, Gaza Hub, Palestine, with the Solar Power Lighting Disabled Lives.To learn more about Reading For Change and donate any digital devices visithttp://www.readingforchange.ch/ Follow the Geneva Shapers on Facebook and Twitter Author: Beatrice Montesi, Giulia Zanzi

A better life for patients

Combining leadership with computer science, neuroscience, physics and robotics

#Meettheleader Session with Tej Tadi, founder and CEO of Mindmaze, YGL 2015

We were privileged to meet a true thought passion-driven leader: Tej Tadi, founder and CEO of Mindmaze. The company brings together computer science, neuroscience, physics and robotics to enhance the quality of life of brain trauma survivors. Tej became a Young Global Leader earlier this year for his innovative, groundbreaking work and contribution to society.

The day of our meeting was special.  August 19th followed an intensive and inspiring #ShapersACM week and this #MeetTheLeader session was also attended by the curators who were still in town. After an exciting ACM where the Global Shapers community had an opportunity to exchange ideas, the audience was particularly eager to learn about new innovations.

Tej’s path and life can be a true inspiration for all of us. While he was working on his PhD in neuroscience at the EPFL, he witnessed first-hand that the methods used to treat patients suffering from brain traumatism, particularly those who had experienced a stroke, were not advanced and mostly based on the qualitative observation of the treating doctor during his visit rather than quantitative data and continuous monitoring of the patient. Likewise, available treatments were very limited and therefore patients’ recovery was, in many cases, compromised by this lack of medical options. He started thinking about creative ways to combine engineering and healthcare to address these problems.

This out of the box thinking was very much needed. Indeed, cerebrovascular accidents or Strokes are a global socio-economic problem. About 15 million people suffer strokes every year, which translates into a stroke every 45 seconds. Because of the challenges related to modern society and changing behavioral patterns, there has been a 180% increase in the stroke rate in recent years, and strokes now affect people as young as 30 years old – in some cases even 16 years old. Cerebrovascular accidents represent a huge financial burden as well: the U.S. and Western Europe alone spend about 100 billion in stroke care every year.

In 2011, Tej founded MindMaze with the intent to design and develop novel applications in Neuro-Rehabilitation, Game training & Interfaces. In particular, MindMaze’s devices use virtual reality, brain imaging and gaming technologies to retrain the brain of stroke victims and help them regain motor functions. The company recently caused a stir with the introduction of the industry’s first thought-powered, augmented reality and motion capture Neuro-Rehabilitation system. Basically, by monitoring the patient’s brain signals the devices are capable of translating the thought into an animation on the screen. In other words, the system tricks the brain into believing it’s functioning properly which helps the recovery of damaged cerebral regions.

This technology’s field of application can also be scaled up. Because of this symbiosis between augmented reality and the patient brain and thought, there are possibilities it can also help people who suffered spinal cord injuries, limb amputations and many other conditions.

During our meeting, Tej also shared some insights on his experience on starting a business and more generally on the Swiss start-up ecosystem. “It doesn’t take experience to have an idea, but it does take experience to take this idea to the market,” he said, highlighting that the journey from developing the first device and getting it to patients was quite long and complicated. This is why Tej encouraged everyone to not be afraid of making mistakes and to learn from them as much as possible; “If you want to start something the time is now; if you want to fail something, the time is also now!”.

In 2014, MindMaze was confirmed among the TOP 100 Best Swiss startups. The future priorities for Tej include making the devices more affordable and available in emerging markets. He stressed that time is very important for them: “For every day we ‘waste’ someone is not getting the device that can help improve their lives”.

If you’d like to learn more about Tej’s work and the devices produced by MindMaze visit their website MindMaze.com or follow MindMaze on Facebook and Twitter.

Photo credit: Geneva Hub

Women in leadership

On May 8th the Geneva Shapers met with two leaders of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC): Helen Alderson - Director of financial resources and logistics - and Carla Mardini – Head of External Resources.

Over the past months, growing humanitarian needs (Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Israel and the Occupied Territories, South Sudan, Central African Republic, just to name a few) have led the ICRC to set operational objectives of an unprecedented magnitude. The ICRC faces operational challenges in conducting humanitarian action that it cannot address on its own. It must look across sectors to tackle some of these crucial issues, particularly in the corporate, entrepreneurship and innovation communities. At the heart of these rapid changes are two women, Helen Alderson and Carla Mardini, who are leading the institution in uncharted waters. Geneva Shapers, together with visiting shapers from Jeddah and Erbil hubs, discussed how to better #ShapeTheWorld with these two inspiring leaders. As Helen Alderson suggested “We need more young people to lead and take important decisions”.

We also took the opportunity to conduct a short interview (transcript below) with them on taking up leadership positions, their role models, and advice they would give to the younger generations.

What advice would you give to someone going into a leadership position for the first time?

Helen Alderson: “When you take up a leadership role for the first time my advice is to spend most of your time listening to be able to diagnose the situation. The first 90 days (Sic. Reference to the best-seller ‘The First 90 days’, on transitions into leadership positions by Harvard professor Michael Watkins) in your new position are crucial and will very much determine your overall success. You need to understand what type of leadership role you are taking, are you in a startup situation, a turnaround, or is it about sustaining success?  Based on that assessment you need to identify a few clear measures that have to be taken.”

Carla Mardini: “Based on my own professional experience having led teams of 25 to 40 people, one of the key issues is knowing who is “on the bus”, i.e., who is on your team. Before you embark on setting out a strategy and making a plan of action, the people you have on your team should be your first priority. Choosing the right people and having people on your team who have competencies you don’t have is crucial.”

Who has inspired you the most and why?

Helen Alderson: “I didn’t have a professional role model until late, but on a personal level it was my father. He was very successful in his professional life as an executive, but also very present in the family as a father. He managed this balance very well and had a great level of integrity in the way he conducted his work. He was also very inspiring to us. On the professional level my first role model was my boss at the World Heart Federation. She was also someone who balanced her personal and professional life very well, managing dual careers and her family. She was also a great motivator and very inspiring to her team. Moreover, she always brought her team, rather than herself, to the front giving them the credit for achievements.”

Carla Mardini: “I have discovered Sheryl Sandberg (sic: COO Facebook), quite late, but am very impressed by her. She has done so much for the younger generation. Her book ‘Lean In’ and the simple things she explains in there are crucial. Women should dare stay in the workforce and not drop out before the question really poses itself. Nowadays women are leaving before they reach the top because they have difficulties managing work life imbalance: we need to make sure they stay longer!”

What advice would you give to your 20-year-old self?

Helen Alderson: “I would do a lot of the things I did, I have very few regrets luckily. However, I would be more aware of the choices I am making and decision I am taking. I would also be more deliberate into taking a stand rather than getting pushed into situations.”

Carla Mardini: “One of the things I would advise is to learn several languages when you are young. I recently hired someone who told me that if you don’t speak 3 or 4 languages, it is hard to survive in the world we live in today. I am Lebanese and we often speak several languages, but I should have learned Chinese when I was younger. Now that I am 39 years old, it is a little late. Languages open up opportunities that are invaluable, and also give you access to a new culture, a new world and that in-itself is very enriching.”

Thanks a lot to Helen and Carla for inspiring the Shapers at the Geneva Hub and beyond. Special thanks to our Shapers Alessandra La Vaccara and Yannick Heiniger for organizing this great #MeetTheLeaders event.

The Reading for Change Blueprint

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Reading for Change (www.readingforchange.ch) is a project by the Geneva hub to help improve integration, foster employability and give access to education to vulnerable groups of our local community.

More specifically, we do this by collecting second-hand technologies such as ebook readers, laptops, MP3-players, mobiles phones and more, uploading them with educational content, and eventually distribute these pre-loaded devices to our partner organizations so that they can use them for specific trainings and courses. This way, we make sure that the devices are put to use in the most effective way. As the devices are donated to us and the educational content is taken from free creative commons licensed sources, our incremental cost for each new device is virtually zero. This means that we can scale up our impact very quickly!

That's why, after the initial success in our local community, we are now scaling Reading for Change globally by partnering with other hubs of the Global Shapers Community.  Since our hub has already set up all the IT infrastructure and processes, we want to provide an easy, concise and yet comprehensive blueprint for reapplying the project in all our fellow hubs. We are certain that this combination of rapid local execution and seamless global reproduction can help improve the lives of millions of people around the world. If you'd like to request a copy of the Reading for Change Blueprint or any futher information about this project, please contact us at info@readingforchange.ch  We hope your hub will find this tool useful to start a great project to help your local community!

Reading for Change

The Geneva Shapers are proud to launch their latest project, Reading for Change, which aims to expand access to education for those who need it the most. The idea is simple, but effective: provide the most marginalized communities with digital devices filled with useful educational content. To this end, the Geneva Hub is collecting used digital devices – such as laptops, cell phones, mp3 players – that are considered obsolete and giving them a new, more meaningful life.

On Sunday, 15 March 2015, the Geneva Shapers launched the first phase of the project and delivered IT equipment and other digital devices to EspaceSolidairePaquis (ESP), a leading community-based organization that offers shelter and meaningful skills training for migrants, homeless people and other vulnerable individuals. Through the contribution of Procter & Gamble Geneva and several private donations, the Shapers were able to provide ESP with over 20 devices, including laptops, cell phones, mp3 players and e-readers. All of them were filled with French language courses, both for beginners and more advanced speakers.

Thanks to these devices, ESP will increase its language and IT course offering and provide more services to the over 15,000 beneficiaries.

But this is not just a one-off event. The Geneva Hub hopes to scale up Reading for Change and reach more people in need with better access to education. We are planning to bring Reading for Change in developing countries and to establish new partnerships.

Here is where we need your help: please visit our website (http://www.readingforchange.ch/) and find out how you can contribute.With your support, we CAN make this happen!

Reading for Change video: https://vimeo.com/122183076

Photo credits: Martina Zapf

#shapetheworld in Geneva

On 13 and 14 February, the Geneva Hub welcomed 40 Global Shapers from 15 different hubs for an event they dubbed #ShapeTheWorld. Bringing together Shapers from around the world – from Brussels to Lugano, from Ottawa to Jeddah, just to name a few – for two days offered the unique opportunity to reflect together on the importance of partnerships and intercultural solutions, as well as to develop synergies to expand ideas. In addition, it served as a great introductory meeting to all the new Shapers who recently joined the Geneva Hub.

The Valentine’s Day weekend kicked off with a meeting at the WEF on Friday evening. Following a brief team building session of the Geneva Hub, all the Global Shapers attending #ShapeTheWorld gathered together to discuss projects and objectives. Melih Nurluel, Associate Director Europe, Global Shapers, also attended the meeting and talked about the role of #ShapeTheWorld.

The Hubs had the possibility to present on their latest initiatives. Geneva gave a presentation on three projects, including the upcoming Reading for Change project, designed to share information and technology with those who need it the most (the project will be launched on 14 March, so stay tuned for more updates). The Venice Hub talked about solutions to tackle youth unemployment, whereas the Rabat Hub announced that Rabat will be hosting #ShapingAfrica 2015. Last but not the least, the Zurich Hub presented their exciting project focused on art and migration.

On Saturday, the Geneva Hub organized a visit to CERN, the largest particle physics laboratory in the world and a prime example of international collaboration, bringing together scientists of almost 100 nationalities. The day started off with an early breakfast at the newly open IdeaSquare, where new technologies and innovation are shaped. Then, the Shapers took part in the CERN guided tour and learned about the history and the groundbreaking research carried out by this leading institution. The Shapers also visited the Globe “Universe of Particles”, a permanent exhibition on key existential questions like “Where do we come from? What is the origin of the laws of Nature?” currently being explored by the CERN.

The day ended with a productive brainstorming between Geneva, Venice, Turin, Rome and other Hubs for an upcoming project (more info to come soon).

Following this great experience, we would like to invite every hub to use #ShapeTheWorld when collaborating with other Hubs on finding intercultural solutions to social problems.Let’s continue to #ShapeTheWorld together.

Photo credit: Giulia Zanzi, Geneva Hub.

Challenges in Building a fulfilling career

The Geneva Hub hosted its first Meet the Leader session on 19 March. International Women’s Day inspired us to invite female leaders from different sectors and explore the “Challenges in Building a Fulfilling Career.” The event was an open discussion with three successful women of varied backgrounds that spoke about their personal and professional experiences.

The leaders included:

Elissa Golberg, Ambassador and Permanent Representative to Canada to the United Nations in Geneva. She has been working in the Canadian diplomatic service since 1996, working on a range of issues, including humanitarian affairs, and served as the Director General of Canada’s Stabilization and Reconstruction Task Force and as the Representative of Canada in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

Taiba Raim, a teacher of Afghan origin, inspired by her father to improve access to quality education in Afghanistan. Ms Raim is highly motivated to improve the social and human conditions for her fellow citizens in Afghanistan. She is President of the Nai-Qala association that is building schools in Afghanistan to improve access to education.

Zohreh Tabatabai who built a career within the UN system and served as Director of Communications and Public Information at the International Labour Organization for almost ten years before starting her own PR and CRS company called Quince Partners.The discussion was focused on personal experiences from all three leaders ranging from making difficult family and career choices to how to deal with career pressures as a woman. The night was filled with inspiration and an insightful view into the lives of three very successful and diverse women.

Some of the key take-aways from the evening were: 

• Women can have it all, but it is very difficult to have it all, all the time. At some point one element of life will be "limping"- be it career, relationship with your partner or your children.

• The importance both mentorship and sponsorship: emphasis is often put on the importance of mentorship but equally important is sponsorship. The difference is that with sponsorship, the mentor uses his or her influence with senior executives to advocate for the mentee.

• Pick a good life partner and make a choice on whether you want to have children.

• It is important to work horizontally and not only vertically.

After a question and answer period, the session ended by carrying out a group activity of goal setting and sharing tips on goal achievement.

The event was held at the home of Atalanti Moquette.