food - search results

NGOs, socially innovative projects and a notable line-up of speakers come together at the Social Innovation and Global Ethics Forum (SIGEF 2015) – a three-day international event dedicated to shaping better times to come.

New York, Oct. 14, 2015 — Horyou, the social network for social good, and the Horyou Foundation will host the second edition of the Social Innovation and Global Ethics Forum at the Bâtiment des Forces Motrices in Geneva, Switzerland, Oct. 23 – 25.

SIGEF is an annual international event that gathers non-profit organizations, speakers, social entrepreneurs and the general public for three days of dialogue and discussion. It features plenary sessions, cultural activities and networking opportunities, as well as NGO and project showcases.

SIGEF 2015 is the ideal place for all participants to rethink the future, identify current challenges, provide answers and draw new paths to truly sustainable development. This edition will involve a diverse community of innovators and social good promoters.

Founder and CEO Yonathan Parienti

The forum will include eight plenary sessions with more than fifty international speakers taking the lead by presenting their views in subject areas based on Social Innovation and Global Ethics practices that are making a difference in today’s world. Some of the main sessions will focus on: Impact Investment, Philanthropy, Media and the Internet, Social Entrepreneurship, Food and Agriculture, Climate and Biodiversity, Transnational Scientific Cooperation, Culture and the Arts, Technological Evolution and Youth for Social Change.

Around one hundred non-profit organizations currently present on the Horyou platform will be attending the forum. They will have the opportunity to network with other organizations from around the world while showing their projects and achievements on stage to the forum’s participants, attendees and the media.

Along with speakers and NGOs, the Innovative Project showcase is also an essential component. It invites social entrepreneurs from all over the globe to share their visions and initiatives. “We are selecting more than sixty projects from around the world including ten projects reflecting a collaboration between Horyou and the UNESCO Youth Forum,” Parienti noted.

Finally, cultural events, concerts, performances and community activities are scheduled to compliment SIGEF 2015 including a delegated visit from the China Charity Alliance whose Chairman is H.E. Mr. Li Liguo, Chinese Minister of Civil Affairs. In addition, on October 23rd, the Horyou Foundation will be hosting its Fundraising Dinner with the participation of special guests and philanthropists at the Four Seasons Hotel.

SIGEF 2015 is expected to partner with over fifty emerging and established international media outlets. “Spreading and communicating the valuable work of social innovators worldwide is of paramount importance in our interconnected world,” Yonathan expressed. SIGEF 2015 will be streamed globally.

About SIGEF

The Social Innovation and Global Ethics Forum (SIGEF) is an annual international event that gathers non-profit organizations, speakers, social entrepreneurs and the general public for three days of dialogue and interaction. It features plenary sessions, cultural events and networking opportunities, as well as NGO and project showcases. SIGEF is organized by Horyou and the Horyou Foundation. For more information visit www.sigef2015.com.

STEPHEN RITZ OF GREEN BRONX MACHINE TO SPEAK AT THE SOCIAL INNOVATION AND GLOBAL ETHICS FORUM (SIGEF2015)

The founder of Green Bronx Machine, Stephen Ritz will be one of the keynote speakers at SIGEF 2015.

New York, Oct. 8, 2015 — The organizers of the second edition of the Social Innovation and Global Ethics Forum (SIGEF), Horyou, the social network for social good, and the Horyou Foundation, will be welcoming a prominent line up of speakers and NGOs including educator and social innovator Stephen Ritz – founder of Green Bronx Machine.

SIGEF 2015 will feature eight plenary sessions covering different topics that are relevant in social innovation and social good. Stephen Ritz is scheduled as a keynote speaker during the Food and Agriculture plenary session.

We are excited to have Stephen speak about his accomplishments in the South Bronx both as an educator and social innovator. He is a wonderful human being with a magnetic and positive personality. He exudes generosity, happiness and inspiration wherever he goes, motivating everyone around him

The Green Bronx Machine reclaims vacant lots and other unused areas in the Bronx transforming them into gardens that eventually become full-fledged classrooms. Ritz’s students have grown tens of thousands of pounds of fruits and vegetables in these urban sanctuaries, distributing their harvest, knowledge and social good among themselves along with the surrounding South Bronx community.

“I dream of a world where people are as excited as I am. Everyday is a chance to get out there and make a difference; to feel that every single person has a fighting chance to do something great, to change the world”, says Ritz.

Ritz has recently been awarded the 2015 Elementary School Educator of the Year – The Bammy Award – equivalent to the Academy Award of teaching. Ritz and his work have been featured on multiple platforms and media outlets including: PBS, Ted Talks, Disney, and NPR, to name a few.

Horyou, its partners and the SIGEF 2015 participants are excited to hear Ritz speak about his achievements, work and vision. “Ritz is a great member and supporter of the Horyou community and an incredible humanitarian. We can’t wait to hear him speak at SIGEF,” says Yonathan Parienti.

About SIGEF

The Social Innovation and Global Ethics Forum (SIGEF) is an annual international event that gathers non-profit organizations, speakers, social entrepreneurs and the general public for three days of dialogue and interaction. It features plenary sessions, cultural events and networking opportunities, as well as NGO and project showcases.

SIGEF is a forum organized by Horyou and the Horyou Foundation. For more information visit www.sigef2015.com.

The weekend 19th to the 20th of September in Geneva marked the yearly Alternatiba Léman Festival which was centered on the theme of promoting local initiatives for climate change and the art of positively living together. The Festival hosted conferences and debates, as well as food and clothing stands, music, movie projections and local food products. It took place on the sunny Plaine de Plainpalais, a prominent square within the city of Geneva, with events also held at the house of associations and the communal hall of the Plainpalais neighborhood.

The Festival gathered around 500 people in support of local farmers, local merchants and helpful sustainable living in Geneva and the surrounding areas. It was a true embodiment of local actions for climate and the joys of connecting for a positive lifestyle. Horyou collaborated with the association and supported its “The Meal” initiative, a lunch cooked with locally produced agricultural products, with the idea to gather a large number of people from across the world to share a Meal in support of farmers and their plea for food sovereignty and access to resources, soil, water and seeds.

“The Meal” was held simultaneously in about 20 other locations worldwide, with the same goal of promoting consumption of local products. In Geneva, it delighted 200 people on the Plaine and consisted of long tables filled with fresh tomatoes, salads, gazpachos, fresh fruits and vegetables, sauces and pasta.

“The Meal”, a truly unifying power in its ideals and encouragement throughout the world, was thus the occasion for all participants to get together, share thoughts and build solidarity within their communities, on the spot, as well as via Skype conversations. Geneva connected with Mali – led by Aminata Touré -, Morocco – led by Nicole Jeffroy -, Nepal – led by Jagat Basnet -, and Pakistan – led by a young university student called Irene Farkhanda -, to mention but a few locations.

Proceeds from “The Meal” went to various nonprofits in Geneva and in Benin, as the Festival had a dedicated area for local nonprofits and various organizations. Horyou had a stand as well, and so did some of the organizations on the Horyou platform, such as One Action and Voix Libres. The event went on through Sunday with even more participants and visitors. We look forward to seeing bigger local agricultural food tables, and more Meals shared in more locations across the world at next year’s festival.

Each day we see the wonderful work of our Members, Personalities and Organizations on the Horyou platform. They are always Ready to Act! This week, we highlight the work and actions of great Organizations from Cameroon and Switzerland.

The Association GRIMIAM has a unique and valuable mission for the future of a more sustainable planet and sustainable food practices. Its main action is to create awareness and legalize the consumption of insects, starting in Switzerland. Increased world population means greater pressure on the environment, increased use of land and higher demands of nutrients and non-renewable energy. Innovative production solutions are needed. Insect raising systems do not require a lot of land, insects are rich in high quality protein, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals, to name a few advantages. The Association’s next action is to defeat the “yuck” factor we have been brought up with in the West towards insect consumption.

La Fête de la Musique, also known as World Music Day, is an annual music festival that takes place all over the world. Its 24th edition took place in Geneva June 19-21 for three days of enjoying great music, international food and meeting friends under the sun. From classical to electronic music, stages were set up all over the city. It is one of the best festivals in Geneva, and the city ensures that the event is held to the highest standard.

The laid-back celebration also offered an opportunity for non-profit organizations to raise funding for their causes. After a call for volunteers from Francisco Etchepareborda, vice president of children’s rights group Niños de Argentina, a pair of Horyou team members stepped up. Initially, the duo signed up for one day, but with the energetic atmosphere and fantastic people, they wound up spending the whole weekend with Niños de Argentina. Other NGO members of the Horyou community were present, such as One Action. Its director, Jan Isler, was working nonstop with his team at a nearby stand.

The festival is a great opportunity for fundraising for the associations, and in the case of Niños de Argentina, it is one of two events that raises funding for its projects. The second is a barbecue for Argentina’s independence day on May 25. The funds are for humanitarian, cultural and community projects with the focus on disadvantaged children. The group supplies food, school supplies and clothes for the children, and promotes Swiss-Argentinean culture.

Thank you to the team of Niños de Argentina for the great experience and making our team members feel like part of the family.

Science x Kickstarter Hackathon was held Feb. 28 and March 1 at the New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. The weekend was dedicated to collaboration among scientists, artists, designers and writers, and bringing those ideas to life. Kickstarter is a website to help fund creative projects through pledges and donations.

At this particular event, there were 16 projects that people could sign up for to help support a team in need. On Saturday, all 16 teams presented their projects:

Horyou found it interesting to learn about the projects and how dedicated the team members are to their success. With the help of Kickstarter and participants of this event, we hope to see these projects flourish and gain the exposure they need. “We’re delighted by the diversity of the projects that were selected for this event,” said Francois Grey, coordinator of the Citizen Cyberscience Centre. “There’s everything from artificial intelligence for sorting trash to laser cooling for detecting antimatter, and from studying the genetics of beer to GPS-enabled harnesses for rescue and mine-sniffing dogs. (Citizens Cyberscience Centre)”

Thank you to Francois Grey from CERN for inviting us to this fantastic event.