Simple Innovation as the Power to Change the Developing World
To follow the engineering projects aimed at combating poverty, hunger, and environmental degradation. I would travel from laboratories of MIT to troubled countryside of Zimbabwe and show the world the wealth of fresh ideas worldwide.
Components of Project
This project would follow some of the individuals and institutions who are working hard to create change through construction and action. This project has two main components, 1. photographing at technical universities from MIT to Addis Ababa University that are doing research to better the condition in the developing world and 2. going to sites in the developing world that are currently starting new sustainable engineering projects.
Goals
The goals of this project are 1. help bridge the information gap that stops new technology from catching on worldwide with the photography and blog, 2. inspire further innovation with the spread of ideas to create new designs for those who need it, and 3. show off successfully implemented innovation. The photographs created with this project will be close up portraits of the people behind the engineering, the people who benefit from the engineering, and the technology in action. The blog posts will show these photographs, give in depth information on the technology behind the engineering, and give as much information as possible on the groups involved and how the public could help them.
Detailed Summary
Engineering and innovation have the power bring new, fresh ideas to the developing world that can revolutionize both urban and rural lives, alleviating poverty and fostering long term environmental safety. We live in a world with so many gigantic problems, many of which can be solved better by new design than policy making. Engineering is unique because it has the power to create and "do" that is lacking in general policy measures. Engineering projects in the developing world that use technologies to help necessities in new cheap and simple ways are the focus of this project.
The stories this project will follow fall into three main categories all aimed at using technology to better the condition for those with need, 1. poverty alleviation through the creation of new entrepreneurship, 2. increased food production, and 3. stop environmental degradation that causes deforestation that leads to erosion and landslides and pollution to water resources.
1. I could photograph an Engineers Without Borders project in Kabul that has created a local business owned and operated by orphans and the previously impoverished disabled, which creates sustainable fuel briquettes from paper and other waste. This project not only creates jobs using a simple engineering design, but uses waste instead of producing it.
2. I could photograph at a Heifer International project in rural Zimbabwe that seeks to introduce new farming techniques to increase food production in the poorest country in the world. Heifer works to establish food self-reliance and sustainability, while empowering women and individuals who currently be self-reliant.
3. I want to photograph projects that are working to create preventive technology in South-East Asia to prevent disaster in future natural disasters, through environmental protection. I would search through projects from governments, NGOs, and the UN that hope to revolutionize home construction and water systems and filtration to protect victims and the environment. Projects that aim at preventing erosion, by using sustainable materials that require no deforestation and prevent landslides are particularly interesting, as well as projects that focus on creating protected water supplies against salt water intrusion and other water pollution.
These are only potential destinations and my final destinations will be determined based upon the innovators I meet at the IDEAS Competition and what other new and exciting technologies prove necessities in future global conditions.
Photographic Destinations
Amy Smith's Invention Lab and the IDEAS Competiton at MIT- Cambridge, USA
Addis Ababa University Technology School- Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Fuel Briquette Project in Kabul, Afghanistan
Heifer project in rural Zimbabwe
Flooding relief projects in South-East Asia
123 Comments
This is such a great idea! Grassroots engineering will change the world!
This idea is awesome! I pic'd it. My dream is to document what is happening in the Congo in order to expose the most fatal conflict since WWII. Return the vote?
Thanks Father John, your enthusiasm on this site is astounding.
Thanks bwright for your interest!
Thanks bsasso. I am actually working in the Congo this summer for International Bridges to justice (maybe). Check out my website here http://maclellanimages.com/blog1/galleries/
Thanks everyone for voting and let me know if you need me to return the favor.
Make sure to check out my portfolio and blog for more information on me and my previous photographic experience http://maclellanimages.com/blog1/galleries/
Thanks!
This is very cool, you have my vote, check out mine on bonnaroo, and waffle house, good luck
I love your work..
NIce dream. Thanks for the vote. I enjoyed your images on your blog.
Thanks so much DMONA. You have a very fun project.
Thanks scottindermaur you have a lovely project idea!
good luck ian! sounds neat!
that's hannah wellman by the way...
Thanks so much Hannah!
Nice work! You've got my vote :-)
http://ecodelmar.org/ocean
Thanks so much larry, best of luck!
http://maclellanimages.com/blog1/galleries/
Very cool idea!
Thanks for the support Arlin!
sorry i didn't really read it but it sounds interesting and i joined the facebook group soooo yeah.
Thanks for the support Connor.
Very nice idea, good luck.
a vote back at you! Nice job... this is an amazing idea!
Thanks C Smith for the support.
I REALLY like this idea/essay Ian! Very well thought out and you've already got the basic research and knowledge and combine that with the skills portrayed in your photography and your passion and I think you have a winning idea! Best of luck to you! (And, Thanks!) :^)
Kim Doyle Wille
Hi, thanks for voting for my reading project: http://tinyurl.com/canbfv
Here's my vote for another great idea. Good luck! Great job on a well-thought idea.
Thanks for your vote...here sone for you to. PLease check out mine everyone! And also I have worked in Zimababwe..I have been watching and debating for that region publicly...!Go for it.
Thanks Kim. I am the new vice president of EWB here at Tufts and a double science major and feel I am the right type of person for this project with the experience and know how in technology, photography, and internet media. Thanks again for the vote and feel free to spread the idea!
Thanks for the vote Vikk, spread the project around!
Hi Anna, I was actually going to work in Zimbabwe this summer, but was unable to fully convince my mother of any degree of safety, so for her sanity I decided to work elsewhere(now the Congo probably).
Good luck Anna.
Great! I voted for this one!
Thanks for the support Mona!
awesome idea, i voted for you, please have a look at mine and return the vote, good luck!
This is a great idea! Best of luck!
Thanks for the votes Lucas!
Thanks Kate, I got to shake things up to start catching up...
Thank you again.... I will keep voting cuz I LOVE your idea!
Thanks for the vote Kelleigh! You have two cool project ideas.
I really like your style of photographs! You should check out this creative professional portfolio website: www.behance.net
Thanks for the comment Magdelana. That site looks good.
Good idea. Voted you you. Feel free to vote for my project on human rights abuses, land seizures, political upheaval and the overall struggles of daily life in Zimbabwe.
I almost worked on a project in Zimbabwe this summer.
Thanks Will.
you got my vote! your idea is very interesting.. best of luck!
Thanks so much Elizabeth for the comment and vote.
Fun, original idea. I'd love to see this project! also great website!
Good luck Ian!
Quite an amazing concept! Are you by chance an engineer?
Thanks Hugo!
Thanks Bill!
Heather, I am a biology and environmental science major at Tufts University. I work very closely with engineers though and am the vice president of engineers without borders at Tufts. So I am in an engineer in the sense that I think like one, but have no degree as such...
Great idea Ian. Would love to see this come to fruition.
Thanks so much for the comment Jeff. Represent that IBJ love, haha.
Woot I made it to my first goal of 50 in 25 hours. Now I need to make it to 100 to be able to start competing. Make sure to check out http://maclellanimages.com/blog1/galleries/ to see why I am capable of this project.
Thanks to everyone who has voted so far, spread the word! and comment!
Thanks for the vote--I voted for you as well! :)
Thanks Lesa for the comment.
Thx Ian! u got my vote! best of luck man!
Thanks for the vote and comment Christian.
ian, this is awesome. i hope it happens somehow.
sam
Thanks for the comment and vote Sam!
I'll try my best...
Great idea! Best of luck! thanks for the vote as well!
Thanks for the vote Corina! Best of luck!
It's a thoughtful, excellent project Ian - let me know if you want posted on First Class at your old school.
jacreamer
Thanks Mr. Creamer!
That would actually be wonderful, I need to reach out to as many networks as possible.
Good luck, Ian. Sounds like a really interesting project.
-Mike
Thanks so much Mike! Hope all is going well at Groton.
Spread the word.
Fantastic idea! Don't ever give up!
- MHW
Thanks for the support Michael!
I would like to give a special thanks right now to the Wright family in Rhode Island for all their support. Thanks!
Fascinating idea! You got my vote!
Thanks Paul for the comment. Spread the word about this project.
Thanks Ian! Good luck! Your idea appears very well thought out- I have confidence in you!
Thanks for the support Kent!
You've got my vote, kiddo. WOW.
Thanks for your PIC! Good luck to you too! I think we have a long haul to pass the person in first place, but it's fun to participate and learn about others' "dreams!"
Laure
Good luck to you. Change the world! You voted for me-I vote for you, too.
Thanks so much Sarah. Get out the vote at Groton!
Thanks Laure, represent the struggle.
Thanks Dianne! Best of luck with your project!
Thanks for the vote imaclellan! I appreciate it. Very intrigued by your dream. Good luck!
Thanks for the support Megan!
I would just like to take this time to emphasize that all locations and individuals that I have mentioned above are potential locations for the project and final decisions would be made based upon timing, availability, and world climate and politics. Thanks so much everyone for the support!
Nice dream. Excellent Write Up! You have my vote
Nice... Best of luck with this. Sounds like you'll put it to good use.
Thanks for the kind words Michael!
Thanks so much Wheeler, best of luck with your proposal.
Thanks for the vote. I returned it. =) Great idea.
Thanks for the vote stefanie!
I loved your photos from your group's water project in El Salvador a few years back.You showed great insight at your tender young age. Now that you're a bit older, it's fantastic to see your continued interest in using photography for humanitarian causes. Good luck.
Thanks for the support and encouragement Maria!
indeed.
Thanks for pushing me into the top 100 Mattson!
Thanks for the support Wendy! That would be fun!
Thanks so much for all the positive words and support that has pushed me into the top 100 in less than 3 days!
Ian, you're the man, really impressive. Best of Luck!
geat idea i voted 4 you if you get the chance please vote for me...
Thanks Scott! Represent EWB!
Thanks for the support Heather!
That is a well done plan;good luck!Voted.
Thanks Misca for the support!
Wonderful project idea! Best of luck!
Thanks for your vote, here's one to you! Good luck!
Thanks for the vote Kathryn!
Thanks for the support Kirsten!
You have my vote, If you get the chance, check out my dream "From Australia With Love" and PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE vote for it!
Thanks.
-Adam
i like! i'm returning the favor and you have my vote.
good luck!
Thanks for the vote! Your's sounds amazing
Very modern. Voted! see how you fancy my dream...
Thanks for the vote Adam, you seem very very very enthusiastic in caps locks and everything...
Thanks for the vote and support Julie.
Thanks for the vote of support Jessica.
Supporting your project. Voting. Good luck
I voted for you. Good luck.
very well planned i voted for you Please check out my idea thank you.
You got my vote. Very cool. Check out my dream and comment/pic. thanks
Thanks Delmi for the support!
Thanks Shane for the support!
Thanks "the T" for your vote and kind words.
Thanks Scott for your support again?
Thanks for your vote! Yours is a wonderful idea as well!! Best of luck to you! :)
Thanks for the support. Your idea is a great one to!
Interesting and worthwhile project - please check out an additional project that I like! http://www.nameyourdreamassignment.com/the-ideas/richs85/making-peace-with-the-world-peace-corps-at-50/
I like your idea, check out mine and vote for me if you like it. Its about poverty and society in 3rd world countries and how they are controlled, devastated by their governments and western industrialized nations.
FatherJohn
Wow. This is very well planned and detailed. You have my vote and my best wishes.