BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The communications platform "On Our Radar" from the United Kingdom is amongst ten global grassroots organizations receiving this year's Intercultural Innovation Award (IIA).
"The voices of people on the ground are crucial in informing meaningful action", says Libby Powell, founder and CEO of On Our Radar. "We have developed set up simple, replicable systems for unheard communities and hope that we can expand our reach with the support of the IIA."
On Our Radar was awarded for their innovative "From the Margins to the Front Page" communications platform. Trained community reporters use SMS to share news and perspectives with stakeholders working in governance, media, research, development and public services. In Sierra Leone, Ebola-affected communities used the platform to develop social media stories and features for global press about what they were experiencing. At the heart of the approach is a focus on tightening the dialogue, collaboration, and sharing of information between various sectors of society as a way of promoting insight and cultural awareness.
The Intercultural Innovation Award, a partnership between UNAOC and the BMW Group, supports grassroots initiatives that promote intercultural dialogue and understanding, thereby contributing to peace, cultural diversity and more inclusive societies. Close to 1000 applications were received from more than 120 countries, from which ten awardees were selected across five continents. This underlines the award's importance and commitment to the worldwide promotion of intercultural diversity and understanding.
The award was presented at a dedicated ceremony on 26 April during the 7th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), chaired by H.E. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, United Nations High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations, and Mr. Bill McAndrews, Vice President BMW Group Communications Strategy, Corporate and Market Communications.
In addition to monetary support, On Our Radar will receive mentoring from UNAOC and BMW Group to help their projects expand and replicate in other contexts. Project support is customized based on the individual and specific needs of award recipients.
In case of enquiries please contact:
Milena Pighi, BMW Group, Spokesperson BMW Group 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
