The WSIS Prizes, recognizing innovative technological approaches to support sustainable development, were announced on 28 May 2024. Among the projects honored was the "University Diploma on

The WSIS Prizes, recognizing innovative technological approaches to support sustainable development, were announced on 28 May 2024. Among the projects honored was the "University Diploma on Internet Governance and Regulations."

This free, six-month program is offered by the South School on Internet Governance (SSIG) in partnership with universities in Argentina and Brazil. It provides comprehensive training through online pre-training, a hybrid intensive course, and virtual research. All materials and activities are available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, and the program can be completed entirely virtually, with an optional hybrid phase for face-to-face interaction.

Since its inception in 2022, 70 fellows from over a dozen countries have successfully completed the diploma. Learn more: https://gobernanzainternet.org/

This video highlights how a nature-inspired healing process is transforming coral reef restoration. With over half of the world's living coral lost since 1950 due to climate change, pollution, and

This video highlights how a nature-inspired healing process is transforming coral reef restoration. With over half of the world's living coral lost since 1950 due to climate change, pollution, and overfishing, traditional coral farming methods are often insufficient.

Startup Coral Vita addresses this by using micro fragmentation in land-based farms, growing climate-resilient corals up to 50 times faster than in nature. This innovative approach helps restore dying reefs globally.

Coral Vita was a finalist for the 2022 Ray of Hope Prize, which supports nature-inspired solutions for environmental challenges. Learn more at Coral Vita and the Ray of Hope Accelerator.

On November 12, 2020, the Reconciling Ways of Knowing Forum, with the Victoria Forum, hosted "Millennia of Experience: Drawing on Indigenous Knowledge in Responding to COVID-19." This dialogue

On November 12, 2020, the Reconciling Ways of Knowing Forum, with the Victoria Forum, hosted "Millennia of Experience: Drawing on Indigenous Knowledge in Responding to COVID-19." This dialogue explored how Indigenous knowledge and science can improve public health outcomes. First Nations communities notably experienced significantly lower COVID-19 infection (1/4) and mortality (1/5) rates.

Speakers discussed how Indigenous Peoples leveraged millennia of experience from past pandemics, using sovereignty and traditional medicines to protect communities and foster resilience. The session highlighted how Indigenous approaches mitigated negative health outcomes despite systemic challenges and marginalization, offering lessons for collaboration.

For more information, visit https://www.waysofknowingforum.ca/dialogue-5 and https://www.waysofknowingforum.ca.

The WSIS Prizes, recognizing innovative technological approaches for sustainable development, were announced on 28 May 2024 at the WSIS+20 Forum in Geneva. Projects from 18 countries received top

The WSIS Prizes, recognizing innovative technological approaches for sustainable development, were announced on 28 May 2024 at the WSIS+20 Forum in Geneva. Projects from 18 countries received top honors for bridging the digital divide and driving socio-economic progress.

Highlighting such innovation, Northern Mindanao's Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) established the Regional Disaster Network (RDN) in 2022. RDN ensures critical communication during disasters by leveraging robust VHF/HF radio technology.

Unlike fragile modern networks, VHF/HF radios operate independently, offering unparalleled reach to remote areas. This resilience facilitated rapid information exchange during incidents like the Malitbog landslide, saving lives and empowering communities for better preparedness.

Conventional pigments, often metal or oil-derived, present environmental and health concerns, including carcinogens like titanium dioxide and links to human rights abuses. Sparxell offers a

Conventional pigments, often metal or oil-derived, present environmental and health concerns, including carcinogens like titanium dioxide and links to human rights abuses. Sparxell offers a breakthrough: the first environmentally sustainable, non-toxic pigments, glitters, sequins, and films. Inspired by structural color in nature, their patented process transforms cellulose nanocrystals into biodegradable, vibrant alternatives with state-of-the-art performance.

Sparxell was a finalist for the 2022 Ray of Hope Prize. The Ray of Hope Accelerator (biomimicry.org/rayofhopeprize/) supports nature-inspired solutions for global environmental challenges, fostering innovative startups. Learn more about Sparxell at sparxell.com and biomimicry at biomimicry.org.

Commercial pollination faces significant challenges due to declining local pollinator populations and reliance on honeybees. BloomX offers a solution with devices like Robee and Crossbee, which

Commercial pollination faces significant challenges due to declining local pollinator populations and reliance on honeybees. BloomX offers a solution with devices like Robee and Crossbee, which mimic natural bee pollination strategies, including buzz and electrostatic methods. Embracing this technology can reduce dependence on commercial honeybees, mitigate disease spread, and secure abundant food production for the future.

The Ray of Hope Accelerator supports nature-inspired solutions addressing global environmental and sustainability challenges. Created in honor of Ray C. Anderson, this program recognized BloomX as a 2022 finalist. For more information, visit the Ray of Hope Accelerator, the Ray C. Anderson Foundation, and BloomX.

Biofertilizers, which use living soil microbes to enhance plant growth, face a challenge: delicate bacteria often die on the shelf before application. Inspired by resilient tardigrades and

Biofertilizers, which use living soil microbes to enhance plant growth, face a challenge: delicate bacteria often die on the shelf before application. Inspired by resilient tardigrades and silkworm silk, Ivu Biologics developed a biodegradable seed coating. This innovation extends microbe shelf-life, boosting crop yields, restoring soil health, and reducing the need for conventional fertilizers and pesticides.

Ivu Biologics was a finalist for the 2022 Ray of Hope Prize. The Ray of Hope Accelerator (formerly Prize), created in honor of Ray C. Anderson, supports nature-inspired solutions for environmental and sustainability challenges. This program fosters innovative startups like Ivu Biologics, contributing to a sustainable and resilient world.

The chemical industry currently relies on fossil fuels and extreme temperature and pressure, leading to high energy consumption, gigatons of CO2 emissions, and dangerous byproducts. Even existing

The chemical industry currently relies on fossil fuels and extreme temperature and pressure, leading to high energy consumption, gigatons of CO2 emissions, and dangerous byproducts. Even existing sustainable alternatives are often inefficient. Inspired by nature, Anodyne Chemistries has innovated a new bioelectric manufacturing process, offering a more efficient and sustainable solution than current thermochemical methods.

Anodyne Chemistries was a finalist for the 2022 Ray of Hope Prize, which supports nature-inspired solutions for global environmental challenges. The Ray of Hope Accelerator continues to foster a vibrant global community of innovative, nature-inspired startups. Learn more about Anodyne Chemistries and the Biomimicry Institute.

Additional resources: Ray C. Anderson Foundation | Innovation Newsletter | Anodyne on AskNature | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn

CompPair has developed a groundbreaking self-healing composite material. Triggered by heat, this innovative resin allows products to repair themselves, much like living organisms. This technology

CompPair has developed a groundbreaking self-healing composite material. Triggered by heat, this innovative resin allows products to repair themselves, much like living organisms. This technology extends product lifetimes, significantly reducing waste and energy consumption, thereby boosting the circular economy.

CompPair was a finalist for the 2023 Ray of Hope Prize. The Ray of Hope Accelerator, built upon eight years of programming and honoring Ray C. Anderson, supports nature-inspired solutions addressing global environmental challenges. It continues to foster a vibrant community of innovative, nature-inspired startups.

Learn more: CompPair | Ray of Hope Accelerator | Biomimicry Institute | Ray C. Anderson Foundation

Three millennia ago, human activity dramatically transformed Southern China's landscape, nearly extinguishing the South China Sea's once-rich marine life. Today, the Greater Bay Area's 100

Three millennia ago, human activity dramatically transformed Southern China's landscape, nearly extinguishing the South China Sea's once-rich marine life. Today, the Greater Bay Area's 100 million-plus residents exert immense environmental pressure. Beneath the waves, vital ecosystems—fisheries, mangroves, seagrasses, coral reefs—are destroyed. Climate change, pandemics, and waning resources threaten global ecosystems, predicted lost by 2050.

Ecologist David's TEDx talk addresses this crisis. He will introduce ocean restoration methods, discuss re-investing in our ecological future, and explore how technology and entrepreneurship can avert catastrophe. Specializing in human impacts on ocean ecology, particularly coral reefs, David aims to foster their conservation. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx.