SWITZERLAND
Feminism and Women’s Leadership in International Law and Policy
28-30 April 2022
This Innovation Camp was hosted by IHEID’s Gender Centre on 28-30 April 2022 under the theme “Feminism and Women’s Leadership in International Law and Policy.” Over thirty participants were hosted at various locations in Geneva, including the IHEID premises; the United Nations’ Library and Archives; and the Impact Hub, Geneva.
Beyond allowing international participants – hailing from Slovenia to Strasbourg to Colombia – to explore different sites across the city, the choice to host the Innovation Camp across varied locations was a purposeful design of the innovation process. For example, it was considered that for different participants, working in a grand room in the United Nations complex might feel completely different to working in the intimate space of the Impact Hub, Geneva where pictures of different entrepreneurs hang from every wall… As a result, what new perspectives or thoughts would each be sparked or inspired by working and co-creating in the different spaces? Offering a plurality of spaces to innovate in was one small consideration within an overarching plan to help diverse women and minority genders to find different sources of inspiration and comfort in a high-paced innovation process.
Moving between different spaces also offered the time and space for participants to organically mingle and network beyond the confines of their teams, releasing tension and bringing important moments of community joy to the innovation process. Amidst a busy schedule, it was hoped that these moments of respite would also allow participants to find time to breathe, pause, and then return with “fresh” perspectives and motivations to their innovations.
Winning team & solution:
Break the Chain - an online toolkit that collects information and templates on how to take down content from social media and messaging apps under one accessible place with an aim to block the reshares of such sensitive content.
© Juliette Miatello, Meike Lenzner and Laura Cestaro
The winning team worked around the theme of “Revenge Porn.” Their “Break the Chain” solution was inspired by wanting to break the chain of non-consensually sharing sensitive content online, which both leads to stigmatisation of the victim and intensifies gender inequality. Indeed, young women and gender non-conforming (YWGNC) people are disproportionally affected by revenge porn, and often are not helped or empowered to solve this problem. Revenge porn is particularly troubling as it stays online forever.
“Break the Chain” is an online toolkit that collects information and templates on how to take down content from social media and messaging apps under one accessible place. Additionally, the solution pioneers AI that will be able to recognize and block reshares of such sensitive content.
Winning team: Break the Chain
Testimonials from participants
Reflections from Innovation Camp Winner – Laura Cestaro
What did you learn by participating in this EQUALS-EU event?
I learnt that I am capable of thinking about solutions to complex problems and turn those ideas into concrete projects. I had no idea I had an entrepreneurial vein in me!
What were the highlights of your Innovation Camp participation? Any key/inspiring moments?
Speaking with experts about topical issues that must be combatted to bridge the digital gap for women, girls and underrepresented gender identities. It was amazing to feel how many believed in our idea and supported us by providing valuable feedback and eagerly wishing for us to continue developing our idea. When I first signed up to the camp, I had no clue what I could come up with and frankly would have never expected to find myself in such a like-minded team, thinking of a project that may actually make a difference. The feeling after having completed the pitch, followed by a comedown from the adrenaline of the intense programme was incredible. More so because I felt surrounded by inspiring women, who empowered me to believe in myself and my idea.
How did the Innovation Camp help you to generate your winning idea?
The guest experts provided us with the structure to come up with a great idea. Meike, Juliette and I did not know each other before the camp. Therefore, we began by chatting about areas we are most passionate about and our professional and personal experience so far – this way we understood what expertise each of us could contribute to the potential project. Then, we defined exactly what we understood the point of the innovation camp to mean and current events that connect to bridging the digital gender gap. Finally, we wrote down all topics we could come up with within this area, categorised and discussed them at length. Our idea was generated by an empowering environment and a clear structure. We followed a process and listened to one another.
Were there any learnings or thoughts that the Innovation Camp inspired in you that you would like to pass on to other girls and women?
Do not underestimate the power of your ideas: they might reflect the needs of many more people than you can imagine. Do not give up when you receive negative feedback the first time: it is important to always listen to what others think about your solutions, but do not be discouraged if the idea needs refinement or clarity. Talk to many people and exchange points of view. One person may have led you to rethink your entire project from the beginning while 10 others may believe and wholeheartedly support the very idea that you came up with first.
Reflections from Innovation Camp Winner – Juliette Miatello
What did you learn by participating in this EQUALS-EU event?
I learned how to work in a team, without knowing my teammates. It has been a process of self-learning, learning the new world (for me) of start-ups and innovation and learn more about my teammates, putting our strengths together to get to an original, useful and digital solution.
What were the highlights of your Innovation Camp participation? Any key/inspiring moments?
Few minutes before pitching our idea, we had to find a name for our social business/ start-up – I remember the excitement and enthusiasm in the eyes and in the smile of my teammates. A sentiment of hope and proudness, an unforgettable combination!
How did the Innovation Camp help you to generate your winning idea?
Having a small amount of time was the key! We had to concentrate our efforts in solely 3 days – very intense but rewarding. Having a short amount of time pushed us further, going beyond our limits and using everything we were offered during the camp (workshops, guests, lectures etc.) to achieve our solution/idea.
Were there any learnings or thoughts that the Innovation Camp inspired in you that you would like to pass on to other girls and women?
Unifying mental, social and educational forces, we can achieve a lot – for a better, equal and more sustainable society.
