Blog Event: Appropriate Design for the Developing World
by Catherine LaineJuly 9th, 2007
TiE-Boston’s Social Entrepreneurship Event
Date: Tuesday, 31 Jul 2007
Time: 06:00 PM - 09:30 PM
Location: MIT Stata Center Building 32 - Room 123
Vassar Street, Cambridge, MA
Dress Code: Business Casual
Speakers:
Peter Haas, Executive Director, Appropriate Infrastructure Development Group
Prof. Alex (Sandy) Pentland, Human Dynamics Group, MIT Media Lab
Timothy Prestero, CEO & Co-Founder, Design that Matters
Amy Smith, MacArthur Fellow Lecturer, MIT
Cost: Free for members, $25 non-members, $15 student non-members
Description:
More than two thirds of the world’s population lives on less than $1500 a year; more than a billion people live on less than a dollar a day. With little access to basic needs such as clean water, food and shelter, there is a pressing need to develop the infrastructure that will lift people out of this cycle of poverty. This panel presents some of the leading local proponents of a small but growing group of engineers, designers and social entrepreneurs who are addressing this need.
From low cost processes to create cooking fuel from sugar cane waste, to inexpensive solar lighting for rural households, from small-scale hydro-electric systems that can provide a village with electricity to light-weight projectors that enable adult literacy classes; these organizations are working cooperatively with NGOs in developing countries to tailor a host of technologies that leverage local skills and resources and help improve the quality of life. This session will present four innovative organizations in this field. In addition, you will get a first hand opportunity to meet some of the visiting NGOs who are in the process of designing and implementing these solutions around the world.
