A Message from Cameron Sinclair
February 14th, 2010
We include here a message from Architecture for Humanity founder Cameron Sinclair that should give everyone a better idea of what the “Global PechaKucha Day for Haiti” event really means, what’s at stake, and how you can participate.
Haiti Fatigue.
It’s a phrase we will begin to hear over the next few weeks. The fact is more people died in Haiti than in the 12 countries affected by the ‘04 Tsunami. Oh, and rainy season begins in 8 days. So this natural disaster IS a big deal and it’s going to get rough.
We are not the first responders, we’re the last responders and we’re in for the long haul. We estimate having teams in Haiti for 4 years but we will only do that with the financial support of others. Thanks to the amazing Mark Dytham and Astrid Klein we’re going to change that.
We are one week away from launching Pecha Kucha for Haiti – the worlds largest distributed conference. This will be a 24 hour Pecha Kucha (20×20 style) in more than 100 cities – with 2000 presentations. 100% of all donations/proceeds will go towards building schools and community centers in Haiti.
I’d love it if you got involved in some way.
We are looking for a few more (local) speakers?
With more than 100 cities participating there is no need to fly, no dodgy hotel to overnight in and no lost luggage. We’re making all speakers local. You live in NYC, then speak in NYC, If you are in Zilina, Czech – sorry it’s full! | Can’t find your city and are very ambitious? – email Mark Dytham ( mark@klein-dytham.com ) and host one.
*personally after doing DLD, Davos and TED, I’m excited by a conference that doesn’t require 1000+ to fly from one corner of the earth to another. Could this be the future of conferences?
What does a presentation look like?We are looking for ‘virtual’ presentations?
So you are busy, we understand. Mark and Astrid have a cunning plan. Thanks to sponsors Ustream and Rackspace we can pre-record a presentation and we can show it as we move around the world. Brian LeBarton (Beck) & Francesco Valentino just composed one – music only.
Spare 400 or 20 seconds?
You can be brave and do a full 20×20 (20 slides x 20 seconds = 6 min 40 sec) OR if you are really, really busy – just contribute 20 seconds of audio (and we’ll put in a slide). You can just say something like ‘I’m TKTK and do TKTK. I care about creating a sustainable and economically sound future for Haiti. Let’s Build Back Better with Architecture for Humanity.’
OK, what about someone else’s time?
You all know famous designers, engineers, musicians, artists and other creative spirits. Even celebrities. Admit it. Heck, NYC has Florian Idenburg, Gregg Pasquarelli, Craig Dykers and Iwan Baan to name a few – all talking about what they know best. What’s your city got?
Why so serious?
Look it is our job to be serious. We are immensely fortunate to work alongside communities and build their hopes and dreams. The work isn’t depressing, it is awesome. If you want to present, please be upbeat and speak on the sublime to the ridiculous. No one wants 24 hours of depressing visions, that’s called CNN. So seriously. Entertain, inspire and most importantly – be passionate.
To present email me and I’ll connect you to the right people. cameron@architectureforhumanity.org
To pre-record email Mark Dytham.mark@klein-dytham.com
To attend, show up and make a donation.
By the way this email took you 6 min 40 seconds to read. So you do have the time! (I kid)
Cheers,
Cameron
Chief Eternal Optimist @ Architecture for Humanity
848 Folsom Street, Suite 201, San Francisco, CA 94107-1173
W: 415 963 3511 | M: 646 765 0906
Architecture for Humanity is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that seeks architectural solutions to humanitarian crisis and brings professional design services to communities in need.
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