Welcome Letter
WHAT’S THE CHALLENGE? We believe that travelers and the travel industry have great power to do good in the world. They can help preserve environments, combat poverty and disease, enable education. Travelers can be the best global citizens, but to do so, they must become involved with the communities they visit - experiencing other cultures, listening and learning, and carrying the newly gained knowledge back home. This competition is about finding the best ideas for promoting global citizenship: how travelers can contribute meaningfully to the lives of local people and how travel companies can encourage guests to engage with communities.
PERHAPS YOU have visited a community project on your travels and have thoughts about how other travelers can have that kind of experience. Or perhaps you have suggestions about how travelers can be more open-minded and prepare better for their trips. If you are a travel company, maybe you have developed a program that successfully promotes engagement with the communities where you operate.
WE HOPE you will share your ideas with us.
Eligibility and Criteria
I. Eligibility and Judging Criteria
Eligibility
The challenge is open to individuals, organizations, and companies. We will consider all entries that:
Reflect the theme of the challenge: We are searching for innovative ideas and projects that use travel to promote good in the world. We are seeking the best ideas on how to promote the principles of global citizenship—through individual travelers and the travel industry.
Are at the idea or early implementation stage: We are looking for new ideas or early stage projects in development. These may be new ideas or new projects from new or long-established organizations or companies.
Complete the entry form: Entries must be fully completed and submitted before the deadline of May 22, 2009.
Are submitted in English.
Assessment Criteria
Innovation: Is this idea or project innovative? Does it describe an original way in which travel can promote good and connect people? Does it solve the problem in a unique manner? This is the knock-out test. The innovation should be distinct from existing travel projects or initiatives in the field. The best projects will demonstrate a unique model of change by which travelers, travel companies, and local citizens are empowered to create healthier and more sustainable communities that benefit their citizens, heritage, and environment. As this is a global challenge, we are looking for ideas that could be universally applicable.
Social Impact: What is the social impact of this idea or project? How does it help connect people around the world and stimulate global citizenship? How does it help build empathy, raise awareness, influence public policy, or deepen a community’s understanding through travel? The best ideas will engage individual travelers as well as demonstrate a positive impact on the local community or society at large. Beyond leisure and entertainment appeal, we are looking for ideas that use travel to influence or lead to systemic change.
Sustainability: Could this idea be implemented and, ultimately, sustained? To achieve lasting impact, an innovation needs to be financially and environmentally sustainable. While entrants will not be expected to launch their ideas, we are looking for practical, concrete solutions that have potential to be implemented. The best ideas would also have potential to be replicated so that they could have far-reaching impact.
II. Challenge Deadlines, Procedures, and Rules
Entries for the Condé Nast Traveler Challenge will be accepted until May 22, 2009, at 6:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Standard Time. The community will be able to vote on entries as soon as they are posted so individuals and organizations are encouraged to submit ideas early. In addition, early entrants may receive more comments, questions, and insights from the Changemakers and Condé Nast Traveler communities, which can be used to improve (and resubmit) their entries before the deadline.
Here’s how the Challenge will work:
Entry and Voting Stage, April 15 – May 22, 2009: Entries can be submitted and votes may be counted until May 22, 2009, 6:00 p.m. US Eastern Standard Time. Entries may be submitted by individuals, organizations, or companies. Because the community will be able to vote on entries as soon as they are posted, entrants are encouraged to submit ideas early and to mobilize their supporters to get involved. Everyone is also encouraged to nominate entrants, add comments, and participate in the online review discussion with the entrants.
Winners Selected, June 1, 2009: Based on the community’s favorite picks and their own review of all entries, Condé Nast Traveler editors may make a selection of top ideas and projects to highlight in the magazine.
Publication in Condé Nast Traveler Magazine, September 2009: The best ideas will be highlighted in the “Power of Travel” issue of Condé Nast Traveler in September 2009.
Everyone who enters the challenge will receive increased exposure to the Changemakers and Condé Nast Traveler community as well as to other funders, supporters and organizations who are interested in thoughtful and sustainable travel. Participation in this challenge offers the opportunity to receive feedback on your idea from fellow travelers, travel organizations, Changemakers and Condé Nast staff and community.
Ashoka’s Changemakers Disclaimer—Compliance with Legal Regulations
Ashoka complies fully with all U.S. laws and regulations, including the Office of Foreign Assets Control’s regulations, export control, and anti-money laundering laws. All grants will be awarded subject to compliance with such laws. Ashoka will not make any grant if it finds that to do so would be unlawful. This may prohibit awards in certain countries and/or to certain individuals or entities. All recipients will comply with these laws to the extent they are applicable to such recipients. No recipient will take any action that would cause Ashoka to violate any laws. Additionally, Ashoka will not make any grant to a company involved in the promotion of tobacco use.
