Three international associations who were best able to show how their meetings benefitted wider society have each received a US$7,500 grant towards future projects.
Ecocity Builders, the International Society for Microbiology Ecology (ISME) and Soroptimist International (IS) were winners in this year’s Incredible Impacts Programme.
Now in its fourth year, the scheme, run by ICCA and BestCities Global Alliance, chose the associations for their commitment to creating a legacy ‘beyond the conference walls’.
From using live orchestras to inspire a new generation of ecologists, to bringing fresh water to underdeveloped villages in Malaysia, the associations used creative ways to make an impact.
Senthil Gopinath, ICCA CEO, said: "The three winners have demonstrated how they raised awareness of, and positively influenced their communities through education on critical issues such as safe sanitation, sustainability and recent advances in microbial ecology. We're delighted to award them grants to support their endeavours as they continue important work on their legacy programmes."
Lesley Williams, Managing Director of BestCities said: “On behalf of the alliance, I’d like to say a huge congratulations to the winners of this year’s Incredible Impacts program – and a thank you for the remarkable contributions they have made within their communities. There’s never been a more important time to showcase the major milestones our industry can overcome, and we hope that this year’s winners provide inspiration on the big or small ways that impact can be made.”
CASE STUDIES
The winning association case studies:
Ecocity Builders and BCIT Ecocity Centre
In October 2019, the EcoCity World Summit took place in Vancouver, Canada. The Ecocity Builders had a goal to support accessibility of less developed country delegates as well as local, economically disadvantaged people to participate in their summit – and to help reduce the long-term ecological footprint of the cities that they host in. To do this, they introduced a tiered registration fee where delegates from developing economies and students paid one-third of the full registration fee, and worked with local financial institutions to provide 20 fully paid registrations for youth, social enterprise entrepreneurs, and people of indigenous heritage. They launched the first ‘Ecocity Centre’ in Vancouver – a two-year post-summit funding/training initiative that would support the community in Vancouver as they work to reduce their environmental footprint.
International Society for Microbial Ecology (ISME)
In August 2018, ISME held its 17th Microbial Ecology symposium in Leipzig, Germany. As well as the regular scientific program and its established events, the association had ambitions to engage with the wider public while in the city, by educating them about the importance of ecology and inspiring an interest in the field with a new audience.
Working in partnership with the city, ISME created ‘The Night of the Microbes’ – a free-to-attend public event running in tandem with the symposium, where ecologists gave inspiring ‘TED-talks’ to ecology newbies, along with entertainment like a live orchestra band. For those who could not join in-person, the event was livestreamed and made available on Youtube so that people could continue learning long after the symposium left Leipzig, and a new spark of interest in ecology was born.
Soroptimist International (SI)
In July 2019, Soroptimist International held their international convention in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The volunteer movement advocates for human rights and gender equality through their worldwide membership funding and implementing grassroots projects and by having permanent representation at seven United Nations Centres where SI influences global policy for women and girls. To ensure legacy from their 2019 convention, they set out to support an underdeveloped village in a remote part of Malaysia. They partnered with local members in underdeveloped areas to build water facilities, start organic farms and conduct vocational training. With the water systems in place, the villagers now have access to clean and safe water throughout the year. Women learned about personal hygiene, sanitation, water conservation and the importance of using clean water for drinking and cooking. Moreover, women and girls were trained in maintenance of the systems and organic farming which resulted in healthy food for the village. Five girls achieved a diploma in welding, and they all got jobs after the course.
Written By
James Lancaster
AMI editor James
Lancaster is a familiar face in the meetings industry and international
association community. Since joining AMI in 2010, he has gained a reputation
for asking difficult questions and getting lost in convention centres. Proofer, podcaster, and panellist - in his spare time, James likes to walk,
read, listen to music, and drink beer.
