Southern Innovator and Development Challenges 2014 | 9 March 2016

 

July 2014 issue of Development Challenges, South-South Solutions: The last issue is available online for download. Support the e-newsletter for 2016: we are seeking additional funding so we can improve the reader experience and frequency of the e-newsletter. Since first launching in 2006, we often heard from readers how they valued the stories in the e-newsletter and how it has helped in raising the profile of innovators across the global South (“Congratulations on another great newsletter that’s packed with fascinating information! I really enjoy getting it each month.”). Additional resources would enable us to improve the way readers can access and receive the e-newsletter, enable the e-newsletter's contributors to travel and report on developments, and allow us to offer daily and weekly updates and a wider range of resources online and on mobile platforms. Additional funds help in maintaining the quality of the e-newsletter, something that has been appreciated by readers ("Great economic and business reporting! Very helpful for us.” Africa Renewal). It will also allow the e-newsletter to spin-off quality resources for innovators, such as the influential magazine Southern Innovator. Contact the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation if you wish to support the e-newsletter for 2016.

Southern Innovator Magazine Issue 4: Cities and Urbanization (ISBN 978-0-9920217-0-2) (ISSN 2222-9280) features solutions from across the global South. One reader commented on Issue 4: "The magazine looks fantastic, great content and a beautiful design!" 

Some comments that have come in so far about SI's first issue:

"What a tremendous magazine your team has produced! It's a terrific tour de force of what is interesting, cutting edge and relevant in the global mobile/ICT space... Really looking forward to what you produce in issues #2 and #3. This is great, engaging, relevant and topical stuff.", to "Looks great. Congratulations. It’s Brill’s Content for the 21st century!"

What they are saying about SI on Twitter: From @CapacityPlus Nice job RT @ActevisCGroup: RT @UNDP: Great looking informative @SouthSouth1 mag on South-South Innovation; @UNDP Great looking informative @SouthSouth1 mag on South-South Innovation; @JeannineLemaire Graphically beautiful & informative @UNDP Southern Innovator mag on South-South Innov. 

And on Pinterest:

Peggy Lee • 1 year ago

"Beautiful, inspiring magazine from UNDP on South-South innovation. Heart is pumping adrenaline and admiration just reading it."

MJ Wood • 1 year ago

"The first issue’s Great info to know!"

Some comments that have come in so far about SI's second issue:

"Thank you David - Your insight into the issues facing us a[s] [a] "global Village" is made real in the detail of your article - 10 out of 10 from the moladi team."

Some comments that have come in so far about SI's fourth issue:

"The magazine looks fantastic, great content and a beautiful design!"

"I liked your latest Southern innovator! Always inspiring."

Some comments that have come in so far about SI's fifth issue:

"Btw, I really enjoyed reading them, impressive work & a great resource. Looking forward to Issue 6. My best wishes to you & your team at SI."

"... great magazine, nice design."

Southern Innovator knowledge centre website story archive.

 

Southern Innovator Down Under: Two Scandinavian Designs Meet | 19 March 2014

Southern Innovator took a brief detour to Australia in November 2013 and couldn’t pass up the opportunity to visit the iconic Sydney Opera House. Designed by legendary Danish modernist architect Jørn Utzon in the 1950s, the project was plagued by controversy and conflict as its design was considered too radical. An excellent book (pictured below) details the conflicts with politicians and the general public and how the design went from being despised, to an Australian architectural landmark. Utzon’s design was selected after a global competition for concepts and was radical outside and in. Using innovative construction techniques in order to create the billowing sail effect of the complex, it was also a pioneer in green architecture inside (though much of the original plan was not entirely fulfilled). For example, it uses passive heating and cooling technologies throughout and draws on plentiful sea water surrounding the building to cool and warm the public spaces. During my visit, there was an exhibition of Danish design in the lobby, placing Utzon’s work in the wider context of Danish modernism and its connection to social and green design. The Opera House also has an outstanding gift shop with many opportunities for budding architects and designers to learn more about the building (and buy Lego kits to take home!).

Southern Innovator is designed by graphic designer Sólveig Rolfsdóttir in Iceland and has tried to be as innovative in its design and production as the people we feature in the magazine. The energy used by the designers to make the magazine comes from 100 per cent renewable energy sources in Iceland. The paper the magazine is printed on is from renewable forest resources. As much of the content as possible is sourced directly from the global network of innovators in order to avoid duplication of resources when it comes to photographs. The magazine is deliberately kept to 60 pages to lower its weight. It uses a larger text font size than would normally be used in commercial magazines in order to aid people with visual impairment or who are reading the magazine in low-light conditions. The binding is designed to be robust and we expect the magazine to receive a fair bit of abuse on its journey to reach readers. The cover is laminated so that dirt and water can be repelled and the magazine quickly wiped clean. The graphic design is purposefully kept simple in order to reach as a wide a group of readers as possible. We hope we have stuck to some of the core principles of modern social and green design when creating Southern Innovator. And that its content is also another masterpiece of human creativity!

Southern Innovator Editor David South at the Sydney Opera House in 2013. Photos: Jill Lawless

© David South Consulting 2017

Southern Innovator Issue 5 Published and Ready for Launch | 13 March 2014

Southern Innovator's fifth issue has been published. The print run is 5,000 copies and will be distributed around the world through the UN’s networks and partners. It is possible to receive copies of the magazine to help with distribution.

Issue 6 will cover the theme of Science, Technology and Innovation. It is possible to sponsor Southern Innovator, either by helping to fund the printing costs, or by paying for the insertion of a supplement in the magazine. Supplements must be relevant to the issue’s theme and useful for our readers. Southern Innovator is also seeking long-term funding to help us expand and be able to publish more regularly and to expand the resources associated with the Southern Innovator brand.

A hard copy of Southern Innovator Issue 5.

Southern Innovator Issue 5 Being Printed and Readied for Launch | 15 February 2014

Southern Innovator‘s fifth issue is being printed and will soon launch. It is a significant milestone for the magazine since its first launch in 2011. The magazine has been able to gather stories on innovative solutions to the many challenges facing the global South in the 21st century. Distributed around the world and featured at the Global South-South Development Expo (GSSD Expo), it offers a unique opportunity to directly reach the current generation of global innovators.

It is a missed opportunity to not support Southern Innovator at this critical time while the magazine’s profile grows.

Issue 6 will cover the theme of Science, Technology and Innovation.

An infographic from Southern Innovator Issue 5. The cover of Issue 5.

Southern Innovator Issue 5 Awaits Sign-Off | 20 December 2013

Southern Innovator‘s fifth issue is ready and is currently being reviewed in New York at the UN Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC). On the theme of waste and recycling, it asks some challenging questions about how the world uses its resources and what this means for the advancement of human development, in particular in the global South.

The sixth issue will get underway in 2014 and is on the theme of science, technology and innovation. Southern Innovator is looking for invitations to come and see what innovators are working on and what has been accomplished. Time is tight, so please contact us now to liaise on travel schedules for the first two months of 2014 (January and February). In the past, Southern Innovator has been invited to see first-hand innovators at work in Cuba, South Korea and China.

Issue 5 cover.

As 2014 approaches, SI will draft some thoughts on what has been accomplished and will peer into the future and offer some perspective and thoughts on innovation and resilience in the 21st century.

Southern Innovator Issue 1 at the Tianjin Eco-city in China.