The BMW Group and the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) announce finalists for the Intercultural Innovation Award

New York/Munich, 30 March 2016 — Ten initiatives have
been named finalists by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations
(UNAOC) and the BMW Group for the Intercultural Innovation Award. The
selection process was highly competitive, with close to 1000
applications received from 120 countries.

The projects selected come from all over the world, representing
countries across five continents and underlining the importance of the
Intercultural Innovation Award and its commitment to the worldwide
promotion of intercultural diversity and understanding.

Finalists this year include: The Blessing Basket Project – Artisan
You (USA), The Coexist Initiative – Girls Education Equity
Project (Kenya), Give Something Back to Berlin e.V. – Give Something
Back to Berlin (Germany), International Council for Cultural Centers –
Bread Houses Network (Bulgaria), On Our Radar – From the Margins to
the Front Page (UK), Red Dot Foundation – Safecity (India), Routes 2
Roots – Exchange for Change (India), Shine a Light – CanalCanoa
(Brazil/USA), SINGA – SINGA Kiwanda (France) and Unistream – Educating
Tomorrow’s Leaders Today (Israel).

 

By supporting sustainable and innovative, intercultural grassroots
initiatives with the potential for expansion and replication, the
Intercultural Innovation Award aims to contribute to peace and to
building more inclusive societies. Launched in 2011, the Intercultural
Innovation Award is the result of a unique public-private partnership
between the UNAOC and the BMW Group. This model of collaboration
between the United Nations and the private sector creates a deeper
impact, as both partners provide their respective expertise to ensure
the sustainable growth of each project.

During one year, the selected initiatives can enjoy invaluable expert
know-how and resources from the BMW Group and UNAOC. In addition to
receiving monetary support, the finalists will have the opportunity to
participate in training activities and workshops covering diverse
subjects such as strategy and planning, implementation analysis and
media training, as well as to become a part of the exclusive
“Intercultural Leaders” network.

 

“We are very proud of our partnership with UNAOC and take great
pleasure in seeing these grassroots initiatives thrive. In the past
five years we have enjoyed outstanding results with our approach – the
initiatives, UNAOC and the BMW Group alike have all reaped the fruits
of our shared commitment. We are very pleased to move forward with
this strong partnership to continue making a profound, positive impact
on society, together,” said Mr. Bill McAndrews, Vice President
BMW Group Communications Strategy, Corporate and Market Communications.

“Not only is the Alliance a platform for dialogue, it is also a
tool for immediate action in the international community’s arsenal to
prevent conflicts that are identity based. The Intercultural
Innovation Award is a unique example of this mandate,” said H.E.
Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, United Nations High Representative for the
Alliance of Civilizations.

The final rankings will be announced during the 7th Global Forum of
the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations to be held in Baku,
Azerbaijan, April 25-27, 2016. The official award ceremony will take
place on 26 April and will be chaired by H.E. Nassir Abdulaziz
Al-Nasser, United Nations High Representative for the Alliance of
Civilizations, and Bill McAndrews, Vice President BMW Group
Communications Strategy, Corporate and Market Communications, in the
presence of a number of officials from governments and the United Nations.

 

This year’s selected organizations and their social impact focus (in
alphabetical order) are:

The Blessing Basket Project – Artisan You (USA)

Patent pending technology that enables impoverished artisans to
exchange letters with their customers around the world, creating
powerful intercultural connections.

 

The Coexist Initiative – Girls Education Equity Project (Kenya)

Promotion of girls’ primary school enrollment and retention in Daadab
and Kakuma refugee camps by engaging men, boys and communities to
address the complex socio-cultural barriers that continue to impede
girls’ education.

 

Give Something Back to Berlin e.V. – Give Something Back to
Berlin (Germany)

Urban integration platform that strengthens cohesion by connecting
new Berliners with social engagement and community service.

 

International Council for Cultural Centers – Bread Houses
Network (Bulgaria)

Collective bread-making that unites people around the world to
cooperate across cultures, ages, and special needs thereby building
stronger communities.

 

On Our Radar – From the Margins to the Front Page (UK)

Use of SMS by marginalized young Sierra Leoneans to share their
stories via international media outlets, boosting empathy, dialogue,
understanding and support.

 

Red Dot Foundation – Safecity (India)

Platform that crowdsources personal stories of sexual harassment and
maps these trends at a local level, in order to make public spaces
safer for all.

 

Routes 2 Roots – Exchange for Change (India)

Program for open dialogue to build trust and cultural similarities
between India and Pakistan, with the aim of sustaining peace and
resolving conflict.

 

Shine a Light – CanalCanoa (Brazil/USA)

Children from remote Amazonian villages make movies, cartoons, and
music to teach other Brazilian children about their lives.

 

SINGA – SINGA Kiwanda (France)

Community of engaged people who support refugees to begin their own
business or social project, through providing local knowledge,
networks and resources.

 

Unistream – Educating Tomorrow’s Leaders Today (Israel)

Three year program that encourages and promotes intercultural
dialogue and understanding by utilizing educational and
entrepreneurial platforms.

 

 

In case of enquiries please contact:

 

Milena Pighi, BMW Group, Head of Corporate and Governmental Affairs
Corporate Social Responsibility

Telephone: +49-89-382-66563, Fax: +49-89-382-24418, Milena.PA.Pighi@bmw.de

 

Alessandro Girola, UNAOC, Programming Coordinator

Telephone: +1- 929-274-6217, Fax: +1-929-274-6233, alessandrog@unops.org

 

Internet:
www.press.bmw.de

E-mail:
presse@bmw.de