Goodbye loneliness – Over 70 young talents developed sustainable solutions in Zurich
On Saturday 26 September, this year’s Sustainability Innovation Challenge took place at the Accenture office in Zurich. 72 young people from across Switzerland took part. They developed solutions in teams within only five hours, tackling the challenge:
«Create a product or service that uses technology to foster genuine human connection and/or counter the growing loneliness in our digital society.»
What is the Sustainability Innovation Challenge?
The Sustainability Innovation Challenge brings together young talents to develop solutions on the spot for challenge that will only be announced at the event.
The challenge is open to 16- to 25-year-olds, either individually or in teams – many of whom meet for the first time at the event and have to develop and pitch a solution within the timeframe of a single day. Speaker inputs provide valuable insights before the teams present their ideas to a jury of professionals. The best solutions are rewarded with prize money and personal coaching from Accenture.
The Challenge is organised by YES in collaboration with Accenture and YES Alumni.
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As well as brainstorming and innovation, the focus was on presentation: under time pressure, the teams had to deliver their presentations and pitch their concepts to a panel of experts and the other participants. In the end, it was the concept of Bisch Debie Box, a hybrid device designed for elderly people, helping them to connect in physical spaces in an increasingly digital society, was what convinced the jury. The team won 2,000 CHF as well as coaching sessions provided by Accenture.
A big thank you to Accenture, the panel of experts, the speakers, all the YES Alumni who volunteered, and the participants who made this challenge a resounding success.
This Year's Speakers
Gordan Kauric
IT Consultant at Accenture, Sustainability & ESG Ambassador, Author
With his interactive insights into sustainability consultancy and all the factors that need to be taken into account, he gave the young talents the best possible foundation for their challenge.
Lalitha Chamakalayil
Research Assistant, Institute for Child and Youth Welfare, Diversity Officer, FHNW University of Applied Sciences for Social Work
With her input she highlighted just how widespread the problem of loneliness actually is. She also introduced a low-threshold, peer-to-peer support service for teenagers and young adults: the «Ansprechbar». The concept: At a café in Basel, trained young professionals are available to listen and talk to, thereby providing help for peers seeking support.
This Year's Jury
Ann-Carolin Bisinger
Management Consultant – Accenture Song
Janet Do
Java Software Engineer, Campus Lead – ICT Scouts/Campus Bern
Tatjana Schaumann
Programme Lead Sustainability – MIGROS
Nina Bühler
UX Researcher – Siemens
Anna Pernicheva
Technology Consultant Financial Services – Accenture
Basile Morel
Consultant, Data Engineer – Netlight & YES Alumni Professionals
Missed it or Want to Go Again?
Good news – the Sustainability Innovation Challenge will take place next year again. The date is yet to be announced, stay tuned and sign up to get notified!
