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MUMBAI:
The new series of World Challenge 2007 continues to profile the
12 finalist projects and business initiatives that not only make
a profit, but also put something back into the community.
The
sixth and final programme in the series transmits on Saturday 10
November at 1500 and Sunday 11 November at 0300, 0900 and 1900 IST
and features the following two finalists:
HERBAL
HEALING
Sa
Pa Essentials (SPE) – Vietnam
The
mountainous region of Sa Pa in northern Vietnam is an invaluable
storehouse of medicinal plants – many of which have been used
for centuries by the local population. Sa Pa Essentials was established
to protect these species from the increasing threat of over-harvesting,
while at the same time boosting incomes and improving lives within
the community. Encouraging sustainable cultivation of the medicinal
species, this project extracts, processes and markets essential
oils from the plants, ensuring that the communities’ intellectual
property rights are respected.
PEACE
WOODS
Maderas
Para La Paz - Colombial
The
Peace Woods timber company was set up by eight ex-combatants to
provide a decent living for themselves and others like them. The
project keeps former militiamen out of trouble by offering a way
out for those still involved in Colombia’s various armed groups
and uniting one-time enemies under the same banner. Peace Woods
specialises in kiln-dried timber and parts for wooden furniture.
The wood is sustainably harvested in strict conformation with the
Forest Stewardship Council’s environmental standards, making
Peace Woods a force for environmental as well as social good.
Viewers
are able to vote for their favourite project on the World Challenge
2007 website, www.theworldchallenge.co.uk until Friday 16 November.
The
winning project will receive a grant of US$20,000 from Shell to
invest in its initiative. Two runners-up will each receive US$10,000.
The winners will be announced at an award ceremony in The Hague,
the Netherlands in December.
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