September 2017

On June 20th, a great number of UN health and environment experts, international politcal leaders and CEOs from different business sectors from around the world joint forces in Vienna during the R20 Austrian World Summit.

Organized by Arnold Schwarzenegger’s NGO R20 and with the patronage of the Federal President of Austria Alexander Van der Bellen, the conference aimed at presenting and discussing different solutions and initiative to reach the UN Sustainable Development Goals and to slow down and stop climate change. Norway is definitely a pioneer in climate action trying to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030!  But I was also very moved by the solar projects in Burkina Faso, bringing light and clean air as well as empowerment to women  and children at the same time. It was an honour to host the summit. Now it is up to us to make sure we cool down the planet before it is too late.

We all have a story to tell.

Two weeks ago I hosted the Index Award 2017 in Copenhaguen  – the biggest design award on the planet! Since 2005 the Index Award has shown the world how design is an essential part of every aspect of human life and of any  sustainable solution to global challenges.  The Index jury received 1401 amazing nominations from 83 countries worldwide!

I was blessed to meet some of the finalists and all of the winners, as well as the entire INDEX: Design to Improve Life crew,  a happy bunch of incredibly smart, motivated and positive people, whose everyday life consists of finding ways to change the world for the better. I also had the the honour of meeting Her Royal Highness, the Crown Princess of Denmark, who handed over the INDEX Award in the category „Community“. Thank you INDEX for these inspiring days!