Young innovators win video contest with ideas for a better future |
Selected from 142 entries from 63 countries, three winners from Syria, Ghana and China, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) the winners signaled to the world that young people are taking on innovative challenges, using their energy and creativity to set the course for a better future.
Smart devices, rice threshers and pictograms
Hekma Jabouli, 25, from Syria won first prize for her short film showing a homemade smart device designed to help her sister regain her mobility after shrapnel damaged her spinal cord.
Twenty-seven-year-old John Wobil from Ghana came in second with his video of a new rice thresher, while digital designers Li Binglu and Cai Qingye, Chinese citizens living in Japan, came in third with their story about creating a new pictogram or emoji. Build connections between remote workers.
Innovative potential of youth
Highlighting the fact that half of the world’s population is under 30 and is the fastest growing demographic group in many parts of the world, the Director General of WIPO Daren Tangsaid that “young people are already working on solutions to common problems supported by IP [intellectual property] rights such as trademarks, patents, designs, copyright and others that help people make a living from their work.”
In addition, he said that “at a time when humanity needs to come together to address a range of urgent challenges – from overcoming the pandemic to combating climate change – we must help our youth realize their innovative potential.”
Inclusive intellectual property ecosystem
WIPO is working to build a more inclusive IP ecosystem by expanding access to IP to groups that have historically been underrepresented, including women, small businesses and youth, so this year’s theme is “Intellectual Property and Youth Innovate for a Better Future”.
World Intellectual Property Day, created in 2000, aims to raise the general understanding of intellectual property. Since then, each year it has offered a unique opportunity to connect with others around the world to discuss how IP makes music and the arts thrive and technological innovation that helps shape the world.
Competition
A panel of judges shortlisted 20 videos from nearly 150 submissions, which were then subjected to an online public vote between April 12 and 22, during which 36,819 ballots were cast. Participants were asked to submit a short video clip on the theme: “We are young and innovative. Let’s build a better future with intellectual property!”
The three video winners were featured on event at WIPO headquarters in Geneva.
To commemorate the Day, the action “Innovation for Better Health: Supporting Young Innovators through IP” was organized with the participation of young people from different regions.
You can watch the three winning videos here.
