JACK SIM

Our Customer: The Poor

Today, 4 billion people are excluded from our global economy. Known as the Base of the Pyramid (BoP), the largest socioeconomic group in the world lives on less than $8 USD a day. “Toilet Man” Jack Sim discusses how we can alleviate global poverty through the creation of a vibrant marketplace that respects the emotional and rational needs of the poor.

TAY KHENG SOON

Rebalancing Rural-Urban Disparity

Surrounding nearly every large city in Asia is an even bigger slum. Architect Tay Kheng Soon of Akitek Tenggara explores the possibility of resolving the urban-rural dichotomy and changing consumption patterns by re-imagining communities and placing education at the core.

WILLIE SMITS

The Amazing Power of Sugar Palms

Microbiologist, conservationist, animal rights activist and social entrepreneur Willie Smits has dedicated his life to saving the forest habitat of orangutans. As development becomes increasingly destructive in Indonesia, new challenges call for highly creative, out-of-this-world measures.

SINGH INTRACHOOTO

Waste Not, Want Not

While the field of design embodies creativity, construction and new possibilities, it is also one of the most environmentally damaging occupations in the world. A pioneer of ecological design in Thailand, Dr. Singh Intrachooto discusses why design must look toward sustainable new approaches while inspiring design professionals to answer the “How.”

FREDRIK HÄRÉN

Welcome to Ideas Island

Wish you could have a private island where you work on making your best ideas happen?

Well, now you can – we have launched Ideas Island, a safe haven for creatives like you.

Ideas Island is an island in beautiful Coron, Palawan, Philippines that we lend (yes, for free!) to creative people who want to sit in an inspiring place to work on their ideas.

All you have to pay is 50 USD per day for the whole island to cover some of the costs of the staff (a private island of 30,000 sqm usually costs from 5,000 USD and up.)

We do ask that you in some way support the local community of Coron.

Qi 2011

Time to Volunteer!

Qi will be organising a meeting of Asia's Best Minds on Innovation in Singapore from October 13–14. Volunteers are needed to help out with event organisation, sponsorship and ticket sales and public relations.

Qi is calling out to all of you who want to make a difference and have experience in online social media, IT support, video filming and/or editing. We are also looking for volunteers with skills in writing, research and public presentations.

If you are interested in contributing, do fill up our registration form and indicate your availability. We promise to get back to you soon.

HEAD OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Linda Ha

Linda Ha is the Head of Business Development for Qi Global. Starting her career in the Silicon Valley, she provided strategic communications and public relations counsel to Fortune 500 high-technology companies and Internet start-ups. After moving to Los Angeles, she transitioned her marketing skills into the publishing world, focusing on managing luxury and lifestyle client brands. Most recently, she has been providing marketing counsel to local organizations, such as the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre. Originally from the United States, Linda holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Bucknell University.

EDITOR

Lira Low Roberts

Lira currently writes for Qi Global. Born in Singapore, with a background in Political Science and a Masters in Conflict Resolution and Mediation from Tel Aviv University, she has also counted the UK, Australia, Israel and France as homes in her nomadic life. Prior to Qi, Lira was working at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Singapore covering the Middle East. She has volunteered with after-school care for disadvantaged children in Melbourne and Tel Aviv, and taught English to Israeli Arab school children in Jaffa. Lira enjoys beatnik poetry with a slice of Dadaist humour, and thinks ecofeminism is cool.