Over the past five months, the world has gone through a challenging time which has impacted our lives and changed the way we live, study and work.
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted everyday life all over the world, affecting millions of lives everywhere, regardless of race, background, or socioeconomic status. In these times, it is crucial to look ahead, prepare for the future and think about those who are most affected, to help them to improve their quality of life.
In a speech made by Mawlana Hazar Imam on 29 March 2020, he said: "We must remain strong and prepare to build, and to build well when this crisis passes." He went on to say, "The world is facing a challenging time, and in these moments, it is important that the Jamat remains united and focused on helping those who will need assistance and hand-holding."
Following this notion of building well for the post-COVID era, the Aga Khan Education Board (UAE) is delighted to launch its first-ever Open Innovation Challenge entitled: IDE8.
This initiative aims to inspire and empower the youth and others within our Jamat and the communities that they live in to find solutions to pressing issues.
IDE8 will take youth between the ages of 8 and 30 years on a journey, where they will explore the adversities presented by our current circumstances. They will use these challenges as opportunities to design an innovative solution to enable communities around them to build well for a better future.
"The current environment, and the challenges it creates, provides an opportunity to reflect and explore new ideas with hope. IDE8 is an exciting opportunity for the youth of our community to look at the current world through a different lens. We aim to see them come together to build a better and brighter future, the kind of tomorrow we will be calling the new normal. Over the next five to six weeks, they will be part of a learning process which will enable them to identify opportunities and build skills which will stay with them into the future. The team has worked hard to bring the programme to fruition, and we look forward to welcoming participants on this journey."
Hussain Lalani, Chairman Aga Khan Education Board (UAE)
The programme will launch in the UAE on Saturday, 20 June 2020. During the launch participants will choose from various challenges to take on as opportunities for change, including policymaking, healthcare, economic development and education, and bring their innovative ideas to life.
"IDE8 is an exhilarating journey that symbolizes the potential of infinite concepts waiting to turn into intelligent innovations. In our current predicament, IDE8 brings about a ray of light and personifies hope. The programme will aim to reiterate our fundamental values of empathy, problem-solving, and service to others, through design thinking and innovation and will echo the current reflections of Mawlana Hazar Imam, premised around the concept of building, and building well for the future."
IDE8 Deputy Project Lead
Through their creativity and the insights provided by the programme faculty, a group of carefully selected leading experts from various industries, this journey will help participants grow as individuals and enhance the evolution they initiate in their communities.
Registration is now open. Please click on the link below to register today!
