Earth Pyramid
This project also has a Changeshop where you can read more about its latest progress.
Go to Changeshop: Earth Pyramid.
The Earth Pyramid will be a global peace/environmental education monument that every nation and an entire generation of the worlds children can contribute to.
About You
About You
First Name
Stephen
Last Name
Ward
Twitter URL
About Your Organization
Organization Name
Earth Pyramid
Organization Website
Organization Country
United Kingdom
Country where this project is creating social impact
Is your organization a
Please select
Your role in Education
Other.
The type of school(s) your solution is affiliated with
Other
How long has your organization been operating?
1‐5 years
The information you provide here will be used to fill in any parts of your profile that have been left blank, such as interests, organization information, and website. No contact information will be made public. Please uncheck here if you do not want this to happen..
Innovation
Select the stage that best applies to your solution
Idea (you're poised to launch)
How long has your solution been in operation?
Still in idea phase, but looking to launch soon
The Need: What problem are you trying to solve?
Peace and environmental education are very closely linked and it is more important than ever that we provide our children with the knowledge they need to help tackle these issues.If the world is to solve these issues it is going to take a global effort and as a planet we all need to start working together.
It has been proven that when ever the world does come together, like during sporting events i.e the Olympics it gives us the opportunity to celebrate our many different cultures and give us a glimpse of how connected our planet can be.Our world has never been more connected with the internet and global travel so we should be using this golden period in our history to create opportunities for connecting and encouraging empathy across the planet.
The Solution: What is your solution? Be specific!
The Earth Pyramids aim is to create a platform for peace and environmental education where children can share what is important to them and have their opinions recorded for future generations.From deciding where the structure should be built to filling the finished pyramid every stage will provide an opportunity for children to interact and participate in this global experiment.By getting an entire generation of the worlds children to psychically participate it will create a shared experience that will connect the participants and help to educate them regarding the issues they will be facing in their lifetimes. The more people that understand these issues the greater chance we have to solve them in a peaceful way .It is an incredibly ambitious project but pyramids are known by children all over the world and giving them the opportunity to be a part of something that hasn't been attempted for 4,500 years will be a great way to get there attention and use it for good.
The Model: Walk us through a specific example of how your solution makes a difference; include your primary activities
We have already carried out some test cards to see what kind of messages people would write future generations in 1,000 years.An overwhelming theme of these messages seems to be apologizing for the mess we have left them. Its a shame to think that even e younger generation has lost faith that we can improve things for future generations so this project aims to unite a generation and get them moving forward with a positive attitude that if they work together they can make a difference.By getting children from around the world to decide on the structures location it will provide an opportunity for them to look at the whole world and the specific peace and environmental issues each nation is facing.Where ever the structure is finally built the income generated through tourism will provide a welcome boost to help tackle these identified issues.This stage alone will give a generation a sense of ownership of the project and create a great deal of debate and collaberation between schools on a global scale.
Once built every child will be given the opportunity to physically connect with the venture by filling out a small card that will be sealed withing the base of the pyramid.This card will provide them with the chance to record there hopes, fears and opinions about what is important to them so that people in the next millennium can see how our world was through thoughts of its children.
The structure will also house contributions from all the worlds leaders and inspirational people thus providing a fascinating archive for our ancestors.
The Marketplace: Who are your peers and competitors? Identify others also working to address the needs you are and what differentiates you from them. What challenges could these players pose to your success or growth?
This is a unique project that has no other competitors. Films , music and other forms of media have long been used to try and educate regarding peace and environmental issues but using architecture for this purpose is a new idea.
The only other events that aim to connect on a global scale are the Olympics and various world cups that take place .Live aid proved to be an amazing venture that succeeded in galvanizing the world for a good cause and other global peace concerts are planned.International Peace Day and Earth Day provide the world with an opportunity to think about our actions towards each other and the planet so it is hoped that our project will compliment these great institutions. Getting the world working together requires collaborate not working against each other.
Now that you have thought out your entry, help us pitch it.
Define your company, program, service, or product in 1-2 short sentences [136 characters]
Giving a generation the chance to become a part of history and creating a great platform for peace and environmental education.
Identify what is innovative about your solution in 1-2 short sentences [136 characters]
We need to be creative when it comes to education.The Earth Pyramid will be a live, hands on venture driven by our worlds children.
Social Impact
This Entry is about (Issues)
What has been the impact of your solution to date?
We currently have 19 governments wishing to participate in the venture with a further 6 following our progress.We have also received the support of 2 Nobel peace laureates:Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu and president Jose Ramos Horta.
On the structural side of the project we have architect and pyramid expert Jean Pierre Houdin and global architectural firm Arup supporting us.For the global vote we currently have schools representing 9 countries taking part.
The impact of the venture so far has been limited as our efforts have been concentrated on gathering support for the project and recruiting various experts to assist us with its many aspects.The fact that we now have so many influential people supporting us makes us believe that the project has great potential and our aim is to now make the venture known to a wider audience where its merits can be debated.With so many different educational opportunities the Earth Pyramid will be incredibly thought provoking.
What is your projected impact over the next 1-3 years?
Our aim is to have started the global vote for where the structure should be built and get a generation of the worlds children looking at other countries and the issues they are facing.The whole global vote will be an exiting period for the project as it will be fascinating to see what different schools in each country prioritize as important issues and how they come to a consensus on where the Earth Pyramid should be built.This process will enable schools to connect and share ideas that will culminate in the location for construction and identify where children feel the income generated from future tourism should be directed.This "open" vote will be a great starting point for a venture that's aim is collaboration and education.
Winning entries present a strong plan for how they will achieve and track growth. Identify your six-month milestone for growing your impact
Send out a fourth invitation letter to all the worlds leaders.
Identify three major tasks you will have to complete to reach your six-month milestone
Task 1
Identify all the current world leaders
Task 2
Script and prepare the letter for sending out.
Task 3
Send off letters and wait for response.
Now think bigger! Identify your 12-month impact milestone
Identify and work towards consctruction funding
Identify three major tasks you will have to complete to reach your 12-month milestone
Task 1
Work closely with Arup on potential funding report.
Task 2
Gather findings from various sources to finalise funding stratagy.
Task 3
Launch funding initiative.
Founding Story: We want to hear about your "Aha!" moment. Share the story of where and when the founder(s) saw this solution's potential to change the world [125 words]
Whilst talking to my kids about one of the many climate change talks going on around the world it dawned on me that unless the world starts working together we are never going to solve these problems.If we could create something that proves the world can work together, even in a symbolic way then at least it will provide a bit of hope for future generations that it can be done.If this message of collaboration could be instilled into children at a young age then it will have an even greater impact.I sat down with my kids and we started talking about how this could be done and the whole venture stemmed from that.My 11 year old daughter came up with the idea of creating a chamber where a whole generation of the worlds children could contribute to the project and as things have progressed the potential for it has become more apparent. We know its an ambitious project but any idea that has the potential to make a difference needs to be attempted.
Sustainability
Tell us about your partnerships
Arups are a world leading architectural company that has built amazing structures like the Sydney Opera house and the Beijing Olympic stadium so having there support means a great deal.Along with the architect Jean Pierre Houdin they will be helping us with the design, funding and sustainability aspects of the venture.Bradford University' Schim dept has helped us to create our promotional video and their school of management has been a great support with the marketing aspects of the venture through their MBA course.This venture is all about collaboration and we hope to develop more partners
What type of team (staff, volunteers, etc.) will ensure that you achieve the growth milestones identified in the Social Impact section? [75 words]
We have no staff as such because this whole venture is run on enthusiasm alone but we do have people who are kindly helping as they believe in the project.When it comes to the construction and filling of the pyramid we will obviously require a vast amount of support but for now the work involves research and sending out letters/ emails which we are coping with.Its a very organic project and as things develop we expect that the support needed will come as well.
Please elaborate on any needs or offers you have mentioned above and/or suggest categories of support that aren't specified within the list
This projects aim is to get the world working together and we want to encourage collaboration and the sharing of ideas through out the whole process.By doing this we hope to gain the maximum benefits from creating it and give people the chance to have their ideas considered for this global monument.
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