Italy-South Africa: Ambrosetti launches Simon Perez prize
Johannesburg - The European House-Ambrosetti launched the African chapter of the Perez Heritage Initiative prize for young social innovators, entrepreneurs or researchers who have distinguished themselves with important projects in fields related to the political and humanitarian activity of Shimon Peres, the great Israeli leader, and Nobel Peace Prize winner in 1994. Valerio De Molli, managing partner and CEO of The European House - Ambrosetti, said at the Italy- South Africa Bilateral Summit in Johannesburg that the initiative, which was started in September 2016 after the great statesman's death, is a tribute to the memory of Perez and a passing on of his legacy to future generations. The prize is open to innovators under 35 in sub-Saharan Africa who have distinguished themselves for a specific project in the fields of sustainability, scientific and technological developments, social innovation and concrete support for peace in the world. "We are looking forward to our partners - universities, venture capitalists and such - to help us to identify young talent (in the region) and to help them celebrate their dreams. The innovators which have been identified will then be evaluated and shortlisted by us," De Molli said. He said the final three chosen innovators, who will be celebrated at the 2018 Italy-South Africa Summit, will receive participation in Ambrosetti's global forums, leadership training, mentorship to realise their projects and exposure to the community of leaders which Ambrosetti has built up around the world. The initiative has already been launched in Europe where three innovators have been celebrated at the 43rd edition of the forum "Intelligence on the World, Europe, and Italy" at Villa d'Este, in Cernobbio last year.