ROLEX
Awards for Enterprise
By Peter Williams
To learn more about the Rolex Awards for Enterprise and their latest Laureates visit:
Rolex.org-Rolex Awards
The Rolex Awards for Enterprise were established in 1976 out of a conviction that the company had a responsibility to take an active interest in improving life on Earth. Now, 43 years later, an estimated 5 million people have benefited with hundreds of species discovered and dozens of ecosystems protected.
“In the 1930s, Hans Wilsdorf, wanting to test his watches in real conditions, started to supply them to explorers. This led to a commitment to exploration that has never faltered and is the origin of a relationship with National Geographic that can be traced back to the first ascent of Mount Everest.” — CEO of Rolex Jean-Frédéric Dufour
ROLEX Awards for Enterprise Laureates are recognised around the world for their visionary projects which have high impact potential for the benefit of humanity and the planet, covering the fields of environment; science and health; applied technology; cultural heritage; and exploration among others. Laureates have unearthed historical sites, preserved vanishing cultures, and planted some18 million trees. With its commitment to a Perpetual Planet, Rolex has a long history of supporting some of the greatest feats in exploration and using them as a testing ground for the rigour of their timepieces. From the 1933 British Everest Expedition ascent to the 1960 descent to the Mariana Trench, the deepest point in the ocean, the brand’s corporate social responsibility programme has been a part of some of the most striking discoveries with a view to understanding and preserving the wonders of our world for future generations.
Congratulations to the Laureates
From hundreds of applicants, 5 Laureates were selected for this biennial Award which took place in Washington DC, USA. On 12 June, the finalists presented their projects to an international audience at the National Geographic Explorers Festival, whose attendees were treated to a 360-degree virtual reality tour through Botswana’s Okavango Delta known as ‘the world’s last eden’. In partnership with Rolex — under the theme Perpetual Planet — the Festival brings together innovative scientists, conservationists, educators, storytellers, and change-makers from around the globe to share their discoveries, insights, and solutions for creating a more sustainable future.
I attended the Rolex Awards Ceremony, honouring the 2019 Laureates, which took place at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, in Washington DC, housing one of the world’s largest collections of historic and contemporary artworks from the USA. In the Kogod Courtyard of this grand building, Laureates were recognised not only for their past achievements but for their innovations that will have future impact on humanity and the world. In his address to the distinguished audience in attendance, CEO of Rolex Jean-Frédéric Dufour said, “In the 1930s, Hans Wilsdorf, wanting to test his watches in real conditions, started to supply them to explorers. This led to a commitment to exploration that has never faltered and is the origin of a relationship with National Geographic that can be traced back to the first ascent of Mount Everest. Our two organisations are now collaborating on a series of expeditions to track climate change in extreme places.”
João Campos-Silva (Brazil), Grégoire Courtine (France), Brian Gitta (Uganda), Krithi Karanth (India), and Miranda Wang (Canada), whose passion and commitment to innovation gives renewed hope in improving human well-being and protecting our natural heritage.
João Campos-Silva — ecologist from Brazil in partnership with local communities, is working to save the Giant Arapaima, the largest fresh water scaled fish in the world, and in doing so preserving indigenous cultures.
Brian Gitta — IT Specialist from Uganda is developing a new testing protocol to dramatically reduce the time to identify malaria in order to get patients on medication faster, potentially saving millions of lives.
Brian Gitta in Kampala, the capital of Uganda, which has 4 per cent of the world’s 220 million malaria cases.
L-R: A prototype of the latest version of Brian Gitta’s malaria detection device, which could revolutionize diagnosis, The Matiscope a device which simplifies Malaria detection is being developed to help millions of potential sufferers, Brian Gitta (second from left) examines testing methods with his team, Brian Gitta Right and Joshus Businge Head of Research for Gittas team testing for Malaria, Brian Gitta carries out a test to detect the malaria parasite, Patients Queueing at Kawaala Health Centre Uganda 4 per cent of the Worlds Malaria patients live in Ugandaworld’s 220 million malaria cases.
Miranda Wang — entrepreneur from Canada has identified a new technology which can breakdown and recycle plastic pollution that now chokes landfills, rivers, and oceans threatening the health of both mankind and nature.
Miranda Wang at the Biocellection Offices, Menlo Park, California finding uses for the worlds plastic waste.
L-R: Miranda Wang examines plastic waste at Año Nuevo Beach in California; At Greenwaste Recovery facility California Miranda Wang is recycling plastic waste into usefull chemicals for manufacturing; Miranda Wang Left examines wate with Emily Hanson, Director of Business Develoment at Greenwaste recovery; Miranda Wand and Jeanny Yao founders of Biocellection to help solve the worlds plastic waste problem scaled; Miranada Wang and her team are researching chemical processes that turn plastic into valuable industrial chemicals.
Grégoire Courtine — scientist from France is testing a new technology to allow persons paralysed from accidents to walk again, offering new hope to paraplegics.
Grégoire Courtine and his team giving checking progress outdoors for a patient, David.
L-R: Grégoire Courtines aim is to help people with paralysis walk again; Gregoire Courtine displays the system implant that is helping patients walk again at the Chuv Hospital in Lausanne; Patient David.
Krithi Karanth — conservationist from India is working to reduce human-wildlife conflict to preserve endangered animals in a country where less than 4% of its land space is dedicated to nature reserves.