US-Based Organization "The Blessing Basket Project" Receives The Intercultural Innovation Award For Their Technology Engaging Artisans With Customers

BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 28, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- "The Blessing Basket Project" from the United States is amongst ten global grassroots organizations receiving this year's Intercultural Innovation Award (IIA).

"With Artisan&You® we connect the buyer of a basket with the maker of that same basket, who is half a world away and facing a completely different reality," says Theresa Carrington, founder and CEO of The Blessing Basket Project. "We are honored to receive the IIA, acknowledging these connections as a significant step towards better intercultural understanding leading to a more peaceful world."

The Blessing Basket Project was awarded for their project, Artisan&You®. This innovative technology places a card bearing the face of the artisan on the product they created. The card contains a unique code which enables customers to go online, meet their artisan, exchange letters, and follow them on their journey out of poverty. Translators are available to artisans, enabling them to read and respond to their customer, creating true human connection and cultural exchanges.

The Intercultural Innovation Award, a partnership between UNAOC and the BMW Group, supports grassroots initiatives that promote intercultural dialogue and understanding, thereby contributing to peace, cultural diversity and more inclusive societies. Close to 1000 applications were received from more than 120 countries, from which ten awardees were selected across five continents. This underlines the award's importance and commitment to the worldwide promotion of intercultural diversity and understanding.

The award was presented at a dedicated ceremony on 26 April during the 7^th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), chaired by H.E. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, United Nations High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations, and Mr. Bill McAndrews, Vice President BMW Group Communications Strategy, Corporate and Market Communications.

In addition to monetary support, The Blessing Basket Project will receive mentoring from UNAOC and BMW Group to help their projects expand and replicate in other contexts. Project support is customized based on the individual and specific needs of award recipients.

In case of enquiries please contact:

Milena Pighi, BMW Group, Spokesperson BMW Group Corporate Social Responsibility 
Telephone: +49-89-382-66563, Fax: +49-89-382-24418, [email protected]

Alessandro Girola, UNAOC, Programming Coordinator
Telephone: +1- 929-274-6217, Fax: +1-929-274-6233, [email protected]

Internet: www.press.bmw.de 
E-mail: [email protected]

SOURCE United Nations Alliance of Civilizations

Related Links

http://www.unaoc.org