Cover The 2023 Rolex Awards Laureates Liu Shaochuang, Denica Riadini-Flesch, and Inza Koné
The 2023 Rolex Awards Laureates Liu Shaochuang, Denica Riadini-Flesch, and Inza Koné
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From an economist working to empower rural women to a wildlife conservationist protecting wild camels in inner China, here are the five individuals joining the Rolex Laureates network this year
Established in 1976 to celebrate the Rolex Oyster’s 50th anniversary, the Rolex Awards for Enterprise has grown into a leading international programme supporting individuals and organisations using science and technology to achieve a sustainable future for our living ecosystems.
In its 48 years, the biennial programme has supported 160 Laureates across 65 countries. In 2019, the Perpetual Planet Initiative was launched to reinforce Rolex’s commitment to the Rolex Awards for Enterprise as well as other long-standing environmental partnerships with Mission Blue and the National Geographic Society.
The Rolex Awards for Enterprise are presented to projects focusing on the environment, science and health; applied technology; cultural heritage; or exploration. They are judged on their originality, the impact they could have on the world at large, and the candidates' enterprising spirit. Meet the new Laureates making the world a better place, one small step at a time.
Read more: What makes a Rolex timepiece... a ‘Rolex’?
Constantino Aucca Chutas
Above Founder of Asociacion de los Ecosistemas Andinos and co-founder of Accion Andina, Constantino Aucca Chutas, holding small Polylepis trees only a few days before they are going to be planted by Aucca Chutas and the Quishuarani community in the Andean mountains (Photo: Rolex/Sofia Lopez Manan)
Founder of Asociacion de los Ecosistemas Andinos and co-founder of Accion Andina, Constantino Aucca Chutas, holding small Polylepis trees only a few days before they are going to be planted by Aucca Chutas and the Quishuarani community in the Andean mountains (Photo: Rolex/Sofia Lopez Manan)
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Through the two organisations that he founded, Asociación Ecosistemas Andinos and Acción Andina, Chutas has planted 4.5 million trees, engaged more than 60 local communities, and created 16 protected areas in the mountains across Peru and other high Andean countries.
See also: Rolex supported the team who discovered a marine animal forest in the Arctic
Denica Riadini-Flesch
Above Rolex Awards for Enterprise Laureate Denica Riadini-Flesch, CEO and founder of SukkhaCitta, is changing the way that clothes are made and sold, down to how the materials are grown, whilst empowering the rural craftswomen that help to create them (Photo: Rolex/ Sebastien Agnetti)
Rolex Awards for Enterprise Laureate Denica Riadini-Flesch, CEO and founder of SukkhaCitta, is changing the way that clothes are made and sold, down to how the materials are grown, whilst empowering the rural craftswomen that help to create them (Photo: Rolex/ Sebastien Agnetti)
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The development economist founded SukkhaCitta to empower women and preserve local Indonesian cultures. SukkhaCitta works with rural craftswomen to provide them with business skills, environmental stewardship education, and access to customers in 32 countries.
In case you missed it: How Asia’s Most Influential women inspire others to follow in their footsteps
Beth Koigi
Above 2023 Rolex Awards for Enterprise Laureate Beth Koigiin front of Majik Water's atmospheric water generator during the installation process in Kakuma refugee camp (Photo: Rolex/ Eva Diallo)
2023 Rolex Awards for Enterprise Laureate Beth Koigiin front of Majik Water's atmospheric water generator during the installation process in Kakuma refugee camp (Photo: Rolex/ Eva Diallo)
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The Kenyan social entrepreneur is bringing hope to 10 communities in Kenya in need of clean water with her atmospheric water generators, which harvest water from air. The potential impact of this innovative technology is enormous since the UN reported that half the world’s population could be living in areas of high water stress by as early as 2030.
Inza Koné
Above Rolex Awards for Enterprise Laureate Inza Koné in the Tanoé-Ehy Forest (Photo: Rolex/Nyani Quarmyne)
Rolex Awards for Enterprise Laureate Inza Koné in the Tanoé-Ehy Forest (Photo: Rolex/Nyani Quarmyne)
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After years of working to protect the biodiverse forest in Côte d’Ivoire in West Africa while safeguarding its endangered fauna and reducing poverty in the area, Koné’s efforts have resulted in the Tanoé-Ehy Forest becoming a community-managed natural reserve in 2021.
Liu Shaochuang
Above 2023 Rolex Awards for Enterprise Laureate Liu Shaochuang is a Chinese remote sensing specialist on a mission to save one of Asia's last large wild animals, the camel (Photo: Rolex/Liu Xiaoxue)
2023 Rolex Awards for Enterprise Laureate Liu Shaochuang is a Chinese remote sensing specialist on a mission to save one of Asia's last large wild animals, the camel (Photo: Rolex/Liu Xiaoxue)
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The remote sensing specialist who played a key role in developing China’s Lunar and Mars rovers, is now working towards creating two new conservation reserves for wild camels in Mongolia and the Gobi Desert regions of China.
Above There are less than 1,000 wild camels left in the wild and the species is listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature
There are less than 1,000 wild camels left in the wild and the species is listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature
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Brian Cheong leads the watch (Tatler GMT) and jewellery content at Tatler Malaysia, combining sharp editorial insight with years of luxury lifestyle experience. A seasoned journalist in luxury watches based in Kuala Lumpur, Brian had previously helmed World of Watches, Men's Folio and Prestige Malaysia.
