Finding Fixes For Gnarly Global Problems

 
Global Climate Change. Poverty. AIDS. Slavery. War. Water. Nukes.

What if there was a way to really go after these issues? Might it be possible to leverage the internet fueled changes in human connectivity to help? Is there a way to tap into the global creative mind? Might we be able use the newfound interest in improving innovation skills as a way to create innovative solutions to these difficult to solve global issues?

There just might be.  And it's possible that the Global Challenge Institute will be an organization that energizes some real solutions. "But how?" you ask. Read on...

We've been chatting with Terry Waghorn, the Founder of GCI, over the last year about this project. He's attracted a real "who's who" of globally known leaders and talent to help move the Institute forward. (Terry's the guy who interviewed Bob Eckert for Forbes. http://tinyurl.com/yg77h4g) We want to potentiate his efforts by letting you know about the project. We recently received the following letter:

I wanted to let you know about a new opportunity: The World Innovation Challenge.  Throughout 2010, individuals from the world’s most innovative and socially conscious organizations will form five-member teams dedicated to discovering ways to positively impact climate change--now recognized as perhaps the most pressing environmental problem of our age.  The winning team will be chosen by a combination of expert opinion and public voting.  But all qualifying teams and companies involved will be showcased and recognized for their innovation, breakthroughs and commitment to creating a healthier world.

This will be the World Innovation Challenge’s inaugural year.  In future years, the problem and teams will change, but the mission will be the same—to shape a better world through competition and innovation.

We encourage collaborations and diversity in teams.  Early registration is occurring now through January 15, 2010 and will allow teams to be involved in the global launch campaign.  Regular registration begins February 1, 2010.  The expert-crafted challenge, including the criteria and judging guidelines, will be issued May 1, 2010.

If you would like more information, please contact the Global Challenge Institute’s Director of Marketing, Klaus Kneale, at klaus.kneale@worldinnovationchallenge.com.

To really learn more about this fascinating concept, surf around at www.worldinnovationchallenge.com or, even better, put together a team of great thinkers to go after this years issue. We're excited to see this one unfold.

Comments

[Online Pharmacy]

I found your site on Google and read a few of your other entires. Nice Stuff.
I’m looking forward to reading more from you.

[Bob Eckert]

I think you describe the first creative challenge of this overall process, Michael.

It will be to scope the challenge, to define the problem, in a way that leads to appropriate solutions. In Creative Problem Solving (CPS) language, it seems the Goal / Wish / Challenge of WIC (for 2010)is clear but perhaps unstated. Something like: "It would be great if we were not adversly effected by global climate change." The logical next CPS step is to "Gather Data" and fully understand what can be understood about this issue. Only then do you "Clarify the Problem(s)" that you will generate ideas to solve.
My bet is that the winning team will end up applying just as much (if not more) rigor to these first three steps as they do to the following three: "Generate Ideas" "Strengthen Ideas" and "Plan for Action"
At least that's my hope.

[Michael]

The stated goal of World Innovation Challenge is to, "compete by coming up with new ways to positively impact climate change--particularly by reducing greenhouse gas emissions". This statement confuses the problem (positively impact climate change) with a solution (reducing greenhouse gas emissions). It may not be possible to reduce greenhouse gas emissions enough, or fast enough, to have any impact on the environment. However, there are creative ideas for reducing the earth's temperature. The open question is: "what is the best climate for the earth". If we don't know that - how can we "positively impact climate change"?