Innovation in medicine: a molecule that isolates a cancer cell

It happens. Comprehensive, systemic damage enters our lives. Almost invisibly, but with destructive strength. But simultaneously they bring amazing discoveries that benefit people and all living beings. Today’s guest embraces many modern approaches. She talks about them in a relaxed and convincing manner, and with a smile. Moreover, she explains her breakthroughs as something natural, even ordinary. Which, ultimately, they are. They concern laboratory isolation of a plant molecule that has the potential for cancer remedies, and a protocol that enables the discovery of effective drugs for all sorts of peripheral illness. This is a completely normal and logical step forward in the light of cosmic awareness. Our guest’s name is Romina Znoj. This is her story.

VB: Who is Romina?
RZ: Romina is a hyperactive person that never rests … I even wake up at night thinking about how I can help the world. This is my mission.
Overall, I am eager to learn how the material world functions and understand the laws of the spiritual world. I am very interested in the laws of the universe. My family calls me “Mouse” because I have to stick my nose everywhere and always understand how things work.

VB: Where is the source of your desire to innovate?
RZ: It is my inner drive, my inner inspiration. I see a lot of suffering around me and would like to alleviate this, for people and animals. My drive is also partially genetically preconditioned: my father innovated in the field of electronics, my grandfather in art…

Photo: Vibacom

VB: When did you first create something of your own?
RZ: When I was four. I took a red plastic dish, poured water into it and coloured it with a spice. I proudly walked around proclaiming it to be my new medicine for all illnesses. Then, I stole a syringe from my grandmother and stuck it into a tree. I was deeply disappointed at being unable to take a blood sample from it. I have always learned through curiosity.

VB: These are obviously the roots of your current desire to innovate. What is your focus today?
RZ: The new molecule we discovered causes necrosis of several types of cancer cells. I am currently looking for business partners who would help me develop the molecule on virtual models of animals, and later on human volunteers.

VB: Where do you perform your research?
RZ: The research work was performed at the Jožef Stefan Institute in Ljubljana (the research is the basis for an expert article and a later doctorate).

VB: What is the essence of this molecule?
RZ: It acts as an “eraser”. Micro tumours are created daily in our bodies. Most of them are successfully eliminated by the body, but some of them grow into larger tumours and finally become metastatic (spread all over the body). If a high enough level of these "eraser" molecules is achieved in the blood and tissue, they successfully eliminate tumours while the rest of them are identified by the immune system and excreted from the body.

Photo: KIWIE 2010, South Korea

VB: The molecule was discovered in January 2010. Now, it is time for testing. What are your expectations? What do you envision at the end of this process?
RZ: We first need to test the molecule's behaviour in a living organism. We need to prove that the molecule initiates gradual necrosis of a tumour in a living organism. Ultimately, I wish we will be able to develop a drug that can be applied intratumorally (injected with a special tool directly into a tumour), intravenously or in the form of a pill.

Romina Znoj is a student of Nanotechnology and Nanoscience at the Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School in Ljubljana who is completing her doctorate studies. She is a graduate of Medical Microbiology (University of Ljubljana) and Egyptology (University of London). She acquired her knowledge in pharmacy in the ten years she has been working in various pharmaceutical companies. Her greatest desire is to relieve the world from its suffering. This led her to the invention of many different things, most important of which are the new molecule for curing cancer and the virtual model for testing new drugs. She has been a vegan for ten years and has been active in fencing in the last five. This year, she exchanged weapons for a violin, a piano and an Irish flute, and acquired diplomas in music as well.

VB: How does your invention currently stand?
RZ: In the preclinical phase, and are ready now to enter the clinical phase. There are three more phases that will follow. If these phases are competed successfully, the drug will be approved. Today, this means a process of ten to fifteen years, while virtual testing would shorten it to approximately three years. I truly wish this new medicine will be kinder to all living beings. I wish it could be tested on virtual models, and therefore, we are looking for a partner who would be open to such an approach.
The motivation for virtual testing is also based on the fact that the molecule in its current state cannot be tested on animals. Their enzymes would decompose the molecule while human enzymes would not, according to our preliminary findings.

VB: Are virtual drug testing models already used in practice?
RZ: Some prototypes have been developed but I think they are not yet used in practice. Many people are working diligently in this direction. I have also developed a prototype of a drug testing computer model and patented it.

VB: Where did you acquire the knowledge for such a discovery?
RZ: I am a medical microbiologist and an Egyptologist by profession. I am also a polyglot – I fluently speak seven languages. Since my graduate studies, it has always been my desire to transfer ancient knowledge of medicine (and other areas) to modern times. To combine ancient knowledge and wisdom with modern scientific techniques whilst upgrading and transforming them for the benefit of all living beings but for humanity in particular. This is also the case with my latest innovation (V: the discovery of the new molecule for curing cancer). I drew from ancient knowledge (through archaeology) and added modern knowledge of medical biology. Thus we developed a plant extract in the laboratory which led to the discovery of the new molecule.

VB: What sort of a market potential does it have?
RZ: Enormous – the incidence of cancer is growing. It has reached the level of cardiovascular diseases.

VB: What else could the molecule affect?
RZ: It could affect the concept of formation of any disease. The molecule I have isolated is present in every plant. There are different molecules for different disease, but they all function on the same fundamental principle. I believe that my discovery holds the key to curing, and additionally, the prevention of all terminal diseases.
It is also interesting that if the molecule is ingested by vegans and vegetarians it will be most unlikely for them to become ill with any of the severe illnesses, even though they do not eat every existing plant. If a person regularly eats a lot of vegetables, they introduce high quantities of the molecule into their bodies. Since, as far as we know the human body does not contain the enzyme that could decompose the molecule, it is absorbed directly into the blood. In time, a certain concentration of this and other similar molecules is established in the blood and they protect the body in the short and the long-term.
Non-vegetarians are unable to establish this level of concentration naturally and thus they need this in supplement form. This would also include everyone who has already become ill, of course.

Photo: Innovation Award, Chamber of
Commerce and Industry of Slovenia

VB: This leads to the conclusion that lack of this molecule in the body (lack of fruit and vegetables in one’s diet) can lead to cancer. Does this mean that the belief that radiation, stress and emotional pressure are the causes of cancer is erroneous?
RZ: Based on my research, I believe that the fundamental cause is the lack of this and other natural molecules. This is the reason ancient cultures did not know cancer. They ate meat only on holidays, otherwise people were mainly vegetarians. If a person’s body maintains a high enough level of these molecules, they protect them from the consequences of stress and radiation.However, this excludes extreme cases.

Awards for the discovery of the new molecule for curing cancer:
- Eureka! Innovation Award 2009, the Golden Plaque, 3rd place in the country and a special scholarship for 2010 by the Ljubljana Rotary Club, called The View From Another Window
- 2. First prize at the Korea International Women's Invention Exposition (KIWIE) in Seoul, South Korea, May 2010
- Bronze Medal for innovation in 2009 by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia, May 2010
- Gold Medal by Active Slovenian Innovators Association – ASI, May 2010
- Bronze medal at the Nikola Tesla International Congress on Innovation in SE Europe, Belgrade, May 2010
For the invention of the plant extract that cures cancer she received a Slovenian patent in October 2008 and an international publication of the patent in 2009. At the end of 2009, she submitted a new Slovenian and international patent applications for the virtual model of the laboratory mouse for testing new drugs.

VB: Can you support this thinking with a good example?
RZ: Yes, I am the perfect example: I had epilepsy, an inflammation of the trigeminal nerve, chronic pneumonia, chronic sinusitis, a stomach ulcer and a spinal defect. I cured them all with a strict vegan diet. Now I am healthy, a sportswoman. I am not an isolated case. I know many people who could tell you the same story. My research has confirmed that I am on the right path. Once, I accidently forgot to add the source of animal nutrients to the cancer cell culture medium in the laboratory. The next day I found out that the cancer cells did not multiply. I waited for a few days and found they had started dying the day after I started this. Further research with the plant extract confirmed this interesting discovery. Many discoveries are made, seemingly, by coincidence.

VB: How does the world of innovators accept your story and your discovery?
RZ: They find it unusual, but it was accepted very well. As far as science is concerned, it awaits testing on living organisms, or on virtual models of living organisms.
VB: Are you already planning new discoveries or is this the story of a lifetime?
RZ: Hmm. I am very open to everything and I follow my inner voice. I am convinced I will invent something else. My virtual laboratory mouse model was also created in the middle of the night. I woke up, wrote it down and later found that it worked exceptionally well.
VB: Thank you for the inspiration, for thinking outside the borders of the known, for your casualness and insight. I hope your invention is developed to a drug soon and for the “good of all living beings”.

Links: http://www.egipt-slo.net; http://www.ijs.si

Innovation journalism within a comprehensive framework of innovation communication – Stanford 2010

A year has passed and another Innovation Journalism Conference at Stanford University (Stanford 2010) has been concluded. I hope its contents will resound in your thoughts and your understanding of a new global consciousness as they do in mine.The conference achieved a breakthrough that will also be felt in Slovenia. One of the factors in this step forward is the fact that the Stanford University’s Center for Innovation Journalism has been renamed to “Center for Innovation and Communication”. The InCo movement for innovative breakthroughs foresaw this change several years back. This year was also special because of those representing us at Stanford University. Their path was paved by former InJo Award recipients and other conference participants: Nataša Korajžija, Sabina Vrhnjak, Bojana Humar and Samo Kranjec. This year’s participants and awardees built on our previous experiences and affirmed Slovenia as a progressive, innovation-orientated country focused on higher goals. This article presents opinions by two of them: by Matej Praprotnik, Val 202, RTV Slovenija, a holder of the scholarship granted by the Slovene Human Resources and Scholarship Fund and a participant at the Innovation Journalism programme at Stanford University in 2010, and by Edita Cetinski, host of the “Prava ideja” (The Right Idea) television programme, the InJo Award 2010 winner in the category of Slovenian public media and a participant at the InJo Conference 2010 at Stanford University. I hope their views will open new dimensions of the innovation ecosystem to you as well.

V: What new ideas has the Conference offered?

Edita: The Conference primrarily left me with an impression that the media, the university and industry do care about what sort of society we live in. The people there are dynamic and want us to spread this positivity. I heard several sound solutions for bringing innovation closer to people. I found the example of KQED which involves radio and TV shows as well as webcasts broadcasting under the joint Quest trademark especially interesting. This approach ensures better presence and larger audiences.

Foto: Vibacom

Matej: For me, perhaps a new view on the role of journalism, especially in the context of innovation ecosystems. Journalism no longer has the role of a gate keeper in vetting and deciding which topics are worth publishing, it primrarily plays the role of a mediator placing innovation within the broader social and economic contexts, thereby giving it depth and enabling open discussion. The goal of innovation journalism is therefore to engage as many participants as possible. The media still gives an impression that innovation is inseparably tied to science, and focuses less on social innovation which actually creates added value in a very similar way. This context also makes the renaming of the Center for Innovation Journalism to Center for Innovation and Communication a logical move. And finally, I think this was the first year the discussion was also conducted through the Twitter network: summaries of some of the key opinions of this year’s panellists and participants can be found there.

V: How are you experiencing Silicon Valley these days?

Edita: First of all, it is very different from what I imagined. I certainly did not expect such a lovely little town (ed. Palo Alto) with so many green areas. The people are exceptionally kind and willing to help. We felt very well received, and have no complaints and personally I am thrilled. You can feel the presence of an abundant knowledge and entrepreneurial spirit. Everybody is hungry for new ideas.

Matej: It is exciting. I am pleased the conference was so successful in the sense of attracting the attention of all interested in the concepts and visions that innovation journalism and communication speaks about. I find discussions with journalists from other media houses and environments particularly stimulating. The environment here is ideal for exchanging ideas about the future of journalism, particularly from the aspect of using social networks. We also opened a debate on the best journalistic tools which among others include Wiki, a simple internal communication tool within a media house. Naturally, many debates in such an expressly innovative environment highlighted innovation within journalism.

V: Which story did you find most exciting?

Matej: Being a journalist working at a public service I was particularly impressed by two stories from similar environments. Deutche Welle is seeking audiences on completely new platforms, and is particularly innovative in its approach, which is something that should be expected any from public service after all. Especially, if the public service incorporates innovation in its strategy and misson. KQED is similarly advanced in the field of innovation. The stories we are preparing for the Quest programme are communicated on four different platforms which is a unique approach of a public service to topics and branding. I am not aware of a single example within the RTV (Radio-Television Slovenia) where a single programme – or brand – would simultaneously be broadcasted on the radio, television and web, unfortunate, - as this would have an educational component as well. This is the only approach to ensure that relevant topics will actually reach audiences regardless of location.

Foto: The conference 2010 at Stanford

Edita: The story of KQED and Jure Leskovec, (who looks like a teenager,) is one of 30 computer science professors at Stanford University. Personally, I also found Tim Draper interesting. He is an exceptionally charismatic VC with a positive ecologic orientation.

V: Matej, what was the key message of your group? (ed. Matej also moderated one of the debate subgroups at the Conference)

Matej: The public services – radio and television – whose business models are normally not burdened by limiting access to topics are ideal environments for the debate on the influence of innovation on the society. The idea of public service is to address the broadest audiences and to bring them together in a debate within the new media world. To be able to involve as broad a circle of truly dynamic and participating people as possible, innovation journalism must be familiar with all channels (platforms) of distributing topics and understand their respective advantages. Therefore, innovation journalism must also be very innovative and seek audiences where they exist. Young people might not listen to radio or watch television, but they can be found within social networks, YouTube channels, etc. To the question whether future journalists will have to learn computer programming (to be able to understand the complexity of networks and distribution of news) we answered “No”. However, it is necessary for media houses to have suitable strategies and understanding of the tools and technologies available today. Brands (i.e. media brands) that guarantee a high quality of content remain important. In addition to media brands, the role of personal brand is clearly becoming important as the name of the journalist guarantees objectivity, relevance and integrity. One more thing: the idea of the public medium is clear – contents are available to everyone without additional expense. There are no grounds for having a particularly open approach to broadening contents. Any public service can also affirm its brand through a YouTube channel, although the service might appear as competition at first glance.

Edita’s comment: Matej was well-prepared for the roundtable. The KQED story was well received at Stanford University.

Foto: Stanford 2010

V: What is your personal opinion about the InJo concept? What will be the future course of its development?

Edita: This is one of the best movements I know. It definitely has a future, as evidenced by the enthusiasm of the Conference. We need to stimulate the debate about innovation journalism and about the ways and methods of bringing innovation closer to people for them to accept it as an integral part of life and become aware of its significance. Naturally, our role as journalists is to provide realistic reporting with a critical distance, to show its effect on society as a whole, and not only on the individual.

Matej: The concept of innovation journalism embodies the principles of investigative journalism and meets with similar difficulties as well – especially with the lack of commitment and funds, both by editors and media houses. The rate of change and arrival of new technologies dictate that journalists will more often have to explain the influence of technology on our lives in the future: Whether we like it or not, innovation affects the life of every individual, therefore it is necessary that someone assumes responsibility, explains it and opens the debate. I see innovation journalism as a step towards a period of “collective innovation”, when most of the society will be involved in a meaningful debate. This period of collective innovation is an ideal I believe in, and innovation journalism and communication are two steps in the right direction.

Foto: The conference 2010 at Stanford

May the InCo movement spread further and continue to open space for an open and progressive debate. Join us.

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• Creating the innovation space (violeta.si)

Creating the innovation space

Dear friends!

We have successfully concluded another conference of the InCo movement for innovative breakthroughs – the “InCo Conference 2010”. Only days before our annual event, I contributed our InCo spirit at the LIFT.AT conference and a few days later at the “Change the Game” meeting in Salzburg. There is something radical happening on our beloved Earth. People are willing to invest their own time, money and other resources, making personal commitments by travelling to various parts of the world, meeting people with original views and thinking, and to allow fresh approaches into their beliefs whilst seeking new breakthroughs. Like-minded people are establishing connections. And this is exactly the purpose of the InCo movement – integration of the innovation space: connecting innovative projects, individuals, teams, organisations, communities … to become aware of each other,to truly hear each other, and build something beyond ourselves for the good of our organisations, communities and the higher self. I invite you to travel through the most memorable moments of the InCo Conference 2010, opinions, conclusions and initiatives. If you can relate to these messages, we invite you to join us. Involve your visions, ideas and projects into an invigorating movement. Establish connections among like-minded and supportive people! Spread the innovation space! This is the InCo story.

V: Which conference?
O: The InCo Conference 2010 at the Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre.

V: Organised by whom?
O: Vibacom (which celebrated its 10th anniversary only a few days earlier) in cooperation with the many partners of the InCo movement.

V: What was special about the conference?
O: At least four things.
1. We re-established a format for interstructural dialogue among different spheres of social life this involving a multitude of excellent contributions, starting with insightful, sincere and visionary introductory speeches.These offered a new understanding of civil initiatives and presented new approaches to the development of innovation space.
A few excerpts: "... Creativity and innovativeness cannot be gained quickly when we are faced with problems; they can only be gained through a long-term process since both qualities are acquired through long-term activities, such as learning, education, exchange of experience and talent.” "... A universal and systemic consciousness is forming that presents a point of view derived from the new systemic, comprehensive and holistic understanding of the principles of evolution (biologic, historical principles and the aspect of human self-awareness)...", "...The InCo movement is a social innovation that horizontally integrates diversity, initiates dialogue and creates opportunities for innovative breakthroughs...", and finally, "...we are transitioning from co-operation to co-creation...".

2. By presenting the traditional InJo awards, the “InJo 2010”, we highlighted the best innovative journalists and communicators of all ages and from different media backgrounds, thus raising awareness about innovation journalism and communication in the development of an innovative society. Present equally among those present were younger and older students as well as professionals. The progress in the media is significant. Journalists’ and other writers’ understanding of the innovation space, innovative processes and innovation itself is growing. This is proved by articles that are progressively more comprehensive, critical, constructive and rich in variety.

3. Furthermore, the afternoon session of the conference offered a unique experience. Innovation in the making, a live innovation process. Participants in the interactive groups dedicated to four current topics experienced methods for a democratic gathering of ideas, practiced interstructural dialogue and co-created innovative breakthroughs.

4. Simultaneously, an InCo Conference for the young generation (primary and secondary school) took place at the same location and revealed that our youth exceeded all expectations, expanded the borders of the known and co-created important innovative breakthroughs.

V: Brilliant, can we see some examples?
O: Later …

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE INCO 2010 CONFERENCE

The conference was opened by Blaž Kavčič, MSc, President of the National Council of the Republic of Slovenia and the initiator of the Innovative Society Council within the National Council.

“[…] Today’s third annual conference is proof of excellence of an innovative business-civil initiative, lead by the mission of promoting active interstructural dialogue based on communication about, and for innovation that can contribute to sustainable development in an new way. Creativity and innovativeness cannot be gained quickly when we are faced with problems; they can only be gained through a long-term process since both two qualities are acquired through long-term activities, such as learning, education, exchange of experience and talent. All of the above can be integrated into a successful systemic whole with the help of good communication tools.
Foto source: Andrej Schara, National Council of the Republic of Slovenia

Following the introductory speeches, the initiator of the movement, Violeta Bulc, MSc, from Vibacom presented the InCo movement as a social innovation.

“The InCo movement for innovative breakthroughs is an example of social innovation that serves as a platform on three levels: a)for interstructural dialogue, b)for promoting and developing innovation communication and innovative communication, and c)for gaining first-hand experience in the field of innovative services and interstructural dialogue.
Foto source: Andrej Schara, National Council of the Republic of Slovenia

The central lecture, “Systemic approach to conscious co-creation of future society”, was presented by Tadeja Jere Lazanski, Doctor of Systems Theory and Vice-dean of International Relations at the Faculty of Tourism Studies and the recipient of the Best Paper Award at CASYS'09.

“The systemic approach, has as iIts aim, to understand the problem and form an appropriate solution with tools such as modelling and simulation. […] The systemic future of mankind speaks about people who are able to see the big picture, create partnerships and connections, use the systemic approach and understand the balance between cooperation, leadership and following, i.e. co-creation. […] Thus a universal systemic consciousness is formed, representing a point of view derived from a new, comprehensive and holistic understanding of the principles of evolution (biologic, historical principles and the aspect of human self-awareness). Universal consciousness explains how we can apply the findings of systemic philosophy and understand the development of values throughout historical cycles, and how these cycles of development are currently resident in the mind of every person.”
Foto source: Andrej Schara, National Council of the Republic of Slovenia

The conference was moderated and led by Sonja Šmuc from the Managers' Association of Slovenia.

“The energy of each movement is measured by its width, depth and height –that is; the number of individuals supporting the idea, how deeply it touches them, and how high its reach in social structure. InCo fulfils all three criteria, for it attracts more people each year who dedicate more of their time and consideration to it. Slovenia needs innovation and innovation needs Slovenia. The sort of innovation that is not necessarily related to new products, but more importantly is also a reflection of different, and more comprehensive effective thinking that drives a positive view of the future. We wish to instil the Slovenian economy with innovation that possesses the power to contribute to better development. Therefore, the Managers' Association of Slovenia is happy to support the InJo/InCo project.”
Foto source: Andrej Schara, National Council of the Republic of Slovenia

A special feature of the afternoon session of the conference were the interactive nodes. The units involved experts from various fields who in their introductions presented a successful innovative story that they found interesting. Under the mentorship of professional moderators, the participants discussed four topics, all of them joint together by a lead moderator, Robert Kržišnik (Humus, Slovenian Association of Facilitators).

“The aim of the afternoon session was to utilise the creative potential of individuals who in their work and life expand the borders of innovative thinking and operation. This years’ InCo Conference again succeeded in bringing together exceptional individuals and the task of the moderators of the afternoon session was to involve them in a creative and productive dialogue. This was implemented through moderated work in four nodes where the participants exchanged positive stories about big and small innovative breakthroughs, identified unutilised internal and external resources, and jointly created a vision of an innovative society. Furthermore, through casual, productive and inspiring interaction they established connections and undertook commitments in actual initiatives for implementing specific key tasks for an innovative breakthrough of Slovenia before the next conference when they meet again.”

• SOCIAL INNOVATION – the role of the civil society in developing the innovation space.
Introductory words were given by Simon Delakorda, MSc (INePA), Aleksandra Gradišek (Srce Slovenije – Heart of Slovenia), Rupert Gole (Šentrupert Municipality), Pika Kofol (Očistimo Slovenijo v enem dnevu! – Clean Slovenia in One Day campaign).

Key conclusions:
1. Promoting of mentorship in various environments
2. A society of creative social relationships and re-introduction of knowledge and enthusiasm into the society
3. 10% GDP – research, development and innovation

“I have attended the InCo Conference for the first time this year and I have to say I am excited by the concept and pleased to have had the opportunity to be able to interact with positively-minded people from such different fields. This is proof that innovation is welcome everywhere, not only in professions where creativity is a required characteristic, such as my field of expertise – architecture. As the mayor of one of the smaller Slovenian municipalities, the Šentrupert Municipality, I can only stress the importance of innovative thinking and development of innovative projects for they can strengthen the trade mark of a local community. However, the InCo Conference is neither the start nor the end of my cooperation with the team that has been living and working for dissemination of this view and way of thinking for years. Jointly, we have designed three workshops with the aim of instilling the spirit of innovation into our societies, schools and the local administration.”
Rupert Gole, architect and Mayor of the Šentrupert Municipality.
Foto source: Rupert Gole

The node was moderated by Natalija Vrhunc, MSc (Slovenian Association of Facilitators):

“The participants in the Social Innovation node initially identified themselves as individuals who were already seeking and implementing possibilities for innovative breakthroughs wherever possible. They believe that the key characteristic for progress to an innovative society is self-motivation with the desire to improve the quality of life. The group believe that gain-oriented mentality does not stimulate innovative breakthroughs. These are achieved through high awareness of the interconnectedness among people and with the environment as well as knowing that negativity (criticism, passivity and materialism) does not lead to higher quality. The work in the nodes was performed on the highest level of cooperation, with considerable good will and openness to different opinions, and as the results of this work show, with a synergy effect.”

• BUSINESS INNOVATION – the role of innovative services and business models in the success of companies
Introductory words were given by Metka Stare, PhD (Faculty of Social Sciences), Maja Makovec Brenčič, PhD (Faculty of Economics), Sonja Klopčič, MSc (Trimo), and Branko Žibret, MSc (A.T. Kearney).

“Openness of participants, readiness to establish connections and co-create, an atmosphere bustling with creative energy … this is the identity of the InCo Conference, a junction of experts from the fields of economy, education, art and science working for the common good. This year’s conference was concluded with a commitment to expand the circle of innovative individuals who are ready to co-create in order to reach critical mass and thus a breakthrough sooner.”
Sonja Klopčič, Trimo d.d.
Foto source: Sonja Klopčič

The node was moderated by Tadej Petek, MBA (Develor, Ta 5ek, Slovenian Association of Facilitators).

“The participants of the Business Innovation node showed considerable ‘experience’ in innovation and its implementation in life and work. The participants were actively involved, eager to participate and passionate,as was proved during identification of actions that would lead to a more innovative society. The participants recognised that the aims of determined actions were too general and endeavoured to modify them into a more substantial form that could be implemented in practice. In my opinion, we can be very pleased with the planned actions, some of which are already being incrementally implemented.”
Foto source: Tadej Petek

• INNOVATIVE INDIVIDUAL – the role of the education system in developing an innovative individual.
Introductory words were given by Irena Kokovnik (Natalija Plajnšek, Đulijana Juričić) from Trnovo Primary School; Uroš Strel Lenčič (Faculty of Architecture), Suzana Antič, MSc (Nursery Trnovo), Mateja Geder (DOBA, Faculty of Applied Business and Social Studies, Maribor), Vinko Logaj (Secondary, Higher Vocational and Adult Education Directorate).

Key conclusions:
1. Release children from “false protection”
2. Amalgamation of sectors
3. Living our values
4. Intergenerational mentorship

“In the node in which I participated, excellent coordination and effective communication were applied to result in drafting of substantial proposals with which education systems could be significantly improved in order to contribute to the development of innovation, ranging from pre-school children to older individuals who wish to learn and improve. We also agreed that development and creating of an innovation space or society required an amalgamation of sectors through which innovative breakthroughs by individuals, groups or societies can be achieved," Uroš Strel Lenčič, Ordo d.o.o.

The node was moderated by Alenka Planinc Rozman (Planinca, Slovenian Association of Facilitators).

“The participants in the Innovative Individual node were very active all afternoon. Through the exchange of good practices and determination of actual steps the individuals listened to each other and upgraded each other's ideas. The participants expressed interest for further participation in such conferences and actual projects. They appreciated the organisation of the InCo Conference.”
Foto source: Alenka Planinc Rozman





• INNOVATIVE SOCIETY – the role of journalists in the development of an innovative society
Introductory words were given by Marko Milosavljevič, PhD (Faculty of Social Sciences), Ali Žerdin (Dnevnik), Jurij Giacomelli, MSc (Delo) and Nataša Koražija (Finance).

Key conclusions:
1. Innovation of media models, processes and tools
2. From mediocrity to originality of media topics
3. Awards for reporting about good examples
4. “I have an opinion and I share it with others!”
5. Proposal for the “Eco = cool” media campaign
6. Conscientious parenting workshops

“The mixture of profiles Violeta is able to gather at a conference usually makes me uneasy at first but later becomes quite refreshing. The most exciting part of the programme was Tadeja Jere Lazanski's eccentric intermingling of the systems theory with the Mayan calendar and a balanced mixture of solid science with creative thinking.”
Nataša Koražija, Finance

The node was moderated by Marjeta Novak, MSc (Humus, Slovenian Association of Facilitators):

“The questions we raise individually or in groups are in themselves an intervention, for they have a significant influence on the nature of answers and solutions we can reach – whether we will jointly whine and moan indefinitely or bravely leave our comfort zones and set out to new spheres of thinking and acting. We were able to achieve the latter in our (media) node and one of the conclusions we reached was that from now on the media would not merely report on innovation but would also innovate the processes and approaches applied daily in their co-creation of our common reality.”



Before the conference, the 2nd national workshop on innovation communication for the youth – the InCo Jr. Workshop – took place where young people were introduced to various innovations.

- Six students from the Poljane Grammar School presented the social innovation of their youth altruist culture festival, MakFest.
- A team of Vič Secondary School students presented their project of opening physical properties based safes which was awarded 1st prize at an international competition in Israel.
- Bojan Brecelj, a photographer and reporter offered a special photographic experience – a portable photo studio that was awarded the prize for best entrepreneurial idea.
- The M-Aleja institute presented the “Play and program with LEGO Mindstorms” project through which participants were offered a creative, interesting and fun view of natural sciences, technical science, programming and robotics.

The workshop was moderated by Mojca Štepic, Vibacom, InCo Jr. Project Leader.

“In addition to presenting innovative projects, the aim of the workshop was to connect young people and offer them innovation topics and communication tools in a professional yet relaxed and open environment. This is the key advantage and added value of such workshops – raising awareness that innovation can be found everywhere, in each field of activity and creativity, and among different people, showing that innovation is functional and that young people can also take part. Based on the exceptionally positive reactions, we intend to continue looking for success stories about young innovators and provide them with an environment in which they can present, promote and seek partnerships for their creations and launch the latter into the wider market, and most importantly of all, build up confidence, communication skills and boldness of thinking.”
Foto source: Andrej Schara, National Council of the Republic of Slovenia

Participants’ thoughts about the workshop for young people:

Bogo Seme, Hedoni, member of the InCo movement:
“Once we sincerely open the innovative space to young people and trust them, help them with our wisdom, we realise how magical life is. I felt this in little more than half an hour of the morning workshop with young people when my natural path led me to their midst. Thank you Mojca, thank you Estera and thank you Violeta; dreams came to life at the InCo Conference.”

Alenka Malej, PhD, mathematics professor, Director of the M-Aleja education institute, Koper
“We are pleased to have been able to participate in the InCo Conference and introduce to the youth and their teachers our LEGO robot workshop. We were delighted with student teams presenting their projects which in their variety showed an excellent example to everyone, including us. Such events instigate new ideas, broaden horizons and open new possibilities for the future.”

Patrik Caf, 7th grade student at Tone Čufar Primary School, Maribor
“The workshop and the presentations were enlightening, since there were many things to see and even test. My favourite was the Lego Mindstorms presentation. I was truly excited when I tried them out and wished I would have them. I am grateful for an interesting day and will certainly return next year.”

Urška Bertoncelj, teacher and eco-coordinator at Tone Čufar Primary School, Maribor
“The workshops and presentations were admirably prepared and led by Mrs. Mojca Štepic. I was delighted with the students’ innovativeness and the presentation of Lego Mindstorms. I am pleased I was able to attend these workshops. The presentations and the implementation were interesting and students delighted. My congratulations for a well-prepared event.”

Irena Vrhovec, Slovenian language and sociology of culture professor, Litija Primary School
“This is the third year Litija Primary School has attended the innovation conference, since our students truly enjoy participating in the project. We were truly delighted with the workshop for we were able to see exceptionally innovative items and test some of them first hand. We sincerely wish to continue our involvement and will happily accept any invitation.”

Vič Secondary School Students
“We were truly pleased to have been invited to the conference. Everything was performed in a very relaxed atmosphere full of new ideas and inquisitiveness. As future graduates of a natural sciences oriented secondary school we welcome opportunities to work with people interested in natural sciences. We hope our presentation persuaded some of our audience to become interested in natural sciences. It was delightful to see so many young people who want to go beyond the curriculum in search of knowledge.”

The conference included the award ceremony of the InJo Award 2010 – awards for best contributions about innovation journalism and communication. Based on evaluations of the expert jury, 8 different awards and prizes were presented. The main award for best journalistic contribution on the topic of innovation in Slovenian public media published in 2009 was presented to Edita Cetinski Malnar from RTV Slovenija for her piece on Doctor Uroš Merc, Bisol, in the TV programme ‘Prava ideja’ (The Right Idea). The award for best journalistic contribution on the topic of innovation in internal media of Slovenian companies/organisations in 2009 was presented to Viktor Zaletel, PhD, from Trimo for his article ‘ArtMe tehnologija je svetovna novost’ (ArtMe technology is a global innovation), published in the company internal newsletter, Trimotim. Two special awards for systematic approaches to raising innovation awareness in Slovenian media in 2009 were also presented, namely to the Finance magazine for their editorial section called ‘Lomilci krize’ (Crisis Breakers) and to the Dnevnik newspaper for their systematic reporting about the quickest growing companies in Slovenia. Additionally, 4 awards for student contributions and 10 awards for primary and secondary schools students’ contributions on innovation in the categories of written article, photo story, image and multimedia were also presented.

List of award and prize winners
Source: Vibacom

Other highlights of the conference:
1. The transition from the vertical-analytical thinking to systemic and lateral (comprehensive) thinking and acting was clearly acknowledged.
2. All partners of the InCo movement co-created the conference’s content thereby enabling the conference to become a platform for presenting innovative services, approaches, models and connections.
3. The Slovenian Association of Facilitators introduced their new model of moderating massive events where each participant was an active co-creator of the conference's topics.
4. Valuable experiences with the development of innovation space gained by the InCo movement through their activities in 2009 were presented.
5. Important co-creators of the innovation space presented their stories. A meeting with the best innovation journalists and communicators in 2009 was organised (the InJo Award ceremony).
6. Simultaneously, the young generation co-created their innovation space and were introduced to innovations of their peers (the InCo Jr. Workshop).
7. The conference was accompanied by musical and multimedia background by Lado Jakša.
8. At he conference, the HydraMobiS technology for simple information dissemination among conference participants was used for the first time.
9. Bojan Brecelj (PROJA) held a presentation of his portable photo studio Selffish.
10. Architecture students and their mentors commenced a research study about the influence of space on the creativity of people.

Other statements of InCo Conference 2010 participants:

Miha Mermal, BTC d.d.
»I realised how positive the participants’ thinking is and how great is their desire to co-create – a key precondition for innovation. I was also surprised by the fact that in only 5 years of existence the InCo movement in Slovenia managed to achieve a major breakthrough, proved by the fact that it is now supported by 37 major organisations.”

More information about the movement can be found on the constantly updated InCo website: www.incoincomovement.si.
Welcome!

New opportunities for social cooperation

New dimensions and perspectives are opening in society. Possibilities for completely new forms of coexistence and co-creation. The ignorance of the ruling elite has gone beyond the limits of good taste, and viability. The people we have elected and entrusted with a portion of our energy to manage for the benefit of everyone, have forgotten that their remit and mission is to work for the common good. The time and space we live in deserves transparency and responsible action. It deserves, and is hungry for, open dialogue where each opinion is entitled to be respected, to be heard. Civil initiatives and non-governmental organisations play an important role in this process thus, to promote a more active public discussion, the latest issue of Aktualno 2.0 presents an example of such initiatives and the man who has been systematically and persistently developing its framework. This is his story.

Source: Simon Delakorda

VB: Who is Simon?
“Simon Delakorda, a Master of Political Sciences and the founder and Director of the Institute for Electronic Participation”, as he describes himself is slightly reserved, with inquisitive eyes. If you Google him, you’ll find “the first attempt at digital democracy in Slovenia” affixed to his name. A pioneer in his field.

Simon Delakorda, a Master of Political Sciences, is the founder and Director of the Institute for Electronic Participation (INePA), a member of the International eParticipation Conference programme committee, the Slovenian Political Science Organization and the Slovenian Association of NGO Managers, and an affiliated expert of the European eParticipation network Demonet. He is the author and co-author of scientific and expert papers on political participation and democracy on the web, and head of applicative projects at the Institute. Since 2000, he has participated in most e-democracy projects in Slovenia as a researcher, assistant lecturer and project leader within the University of Ljubljana, the non-governmental and the entrepreneurial sector. He was the moderator of the Citizens' Forum – the first successful example of e-democracy in Slovenia. He has received several awards and prizes for his work in e-democracy and e-participation.

VB: Your name is most frequently connected to the acronym INePA. What is INePA?
SD: It is the Institute for Electronic Participation. This is a private institute working as a non-profit, non-governmental organisation. It is the first organisation professionally working in the field of e-participation in Slovenia and the European Union. E-participation is an innovative implementation of web technologies for supporting participation and inclusion of the public, and the society in decision-making and the legislative processes.

VB: It sounds similar to electronic democracy?
SD: Yes, electronic participation is often associated with the notion of electronic democracy.


VB: Do you cooperate with other similar organisations abroad?
SD: Yes, the Institute's development and professional activities are tied to the political community of the European Union. Thus, the Institute cooperates with other organisations participating in the Pan European eParticipation Network (PEP-NET) and the Central and Eastern European Citizens Network (CEECN). The institute also maintains professional contacts with players in the USA.

VB: Is the EU a leader or more of a follower in the field?
SD: According to the United Nations’ e-participation index, the EU is the most innovative political community in the field of implementation of new technologies for the purpose of democracy. However, the effects of these technologies have yet to attain our highest ambitions since projects of e-participation are currently still limited to technological innovation and have yet to expand to social innovation.

VB: What are the effects of your initiatives and their results?
SD: In addition to professional work, education and advocacy, the Institute’s projects are connected to the use of web technologies in supporting participation of Slovenian residents, civil society and the interested public in the political processes and topics at the level of the European Union.

VB: How do I get involved?
SD: There are two such projects, namely the web portal for non-governmental organisations’ involvement in the Slovenia EU Council Presidency at www.predsedovanje.si which has already been archived and the web Citizens’ Forum at www.evropske-razprave.si where moderated discussions and consultations with Slovenian representatives in the European Parliament are taking place. In the web forum’s specific discussions, an average of 50 to 100 individuals and organisations participate with contributions regarding the Parliament’s work, climate change, social issues, etc. Their contributions are summarised in reports that are reviewed by members of the Parliament who then publicly state their positions on the issue and define how they will implement them in their work in the European Parliament. This is the role of the web Citizens’ Forum

Source: Simon Delakorda

VB: This approach is new, isn’t it? Is it also effective?
SD: The web Citizens’ Forum is the first such initiative in the field of e-democracy in Slovenia and both, the public and our representatives in the European Parliament are gaining valuable experience through such innovative forms of democratic dialogue. The results are very encouraging. As an example of effectiveness, I would like to point out the Tobacco Euro web petition at www.sodeluj.net, which enabled the Slovenian Coalition for Tobacco Control to collect 2000 signatures in support of the amendments to the Restriction of the Use of Tobacco Products Act, that would establish a funding system for non-governmental organisations working in the field of health. The signatures were forwarded to the Ministry of Health and we are currently waiting for their response.

VB: What is, in your opinion, the general significance of civil initiatives in Slovenia?
SD: In political communities, civil initiatives play the role of a corrective agent. Since they are based on direct and participatory democracy they are an important addition to the representative democracy. Due to the crisis of political democracy, or rather the crisis of Slovenian political parties, which is consequently a crisis of the social responsibility of political elites (reflected in lowered trust and standing of political parties in the eye of the public), the corrective action of civil initiatives is absolutely necessary. In Slovenia, the corrective action is not as effective as in developed democracies due to an inadequately developed civil society that is currently struggling with professional, personnel and financial deficits. This is the reason civil initiatives are often specialised and directed for the needs of daily politics or prey to attempts to be channelled through political parties’ methods of control. With the Lisbon Treaty, the European Union is introducing a new democratic mechanism, namely the citizens' initiative which enhances the significance of civil initiatives and simultaneously provides new opportunities for innovation in the field of electronic petitions.

Source: Simon Delakorda

VB: According to EU statistics, Slovenia is at the bottom level of development of civil society. How does this affect your work?
SD: These affects are uite strongly felt when a space opens for public debate and consultation about European or national policies, strategies, legal acts or other provisions of public importance that affect the quality of life in Slovenia. A relatively small portion of civil society participates in democratic processes. Due to the technocratic structure of decision-making institutions and the complexity of social and political relationships, competent participation requires a high level of professional knowledge and argumentation skills. Due to the deficits mentioned earlier, non-governmental organisations as players are progressively losing the ability to effectively represent public interest in the relationship with the state, capital or even expert fields. This results in the limited scope of published argument, of views, in web debates and consultations. However, this last issue has lately become one of the innovative areas of e-participation which is dedicated to the development of tools for web visualisation of complex multilevel decisions in support of the democratic decision-making processes.

Recent projects:

European Debates, a citizens’ web forum, ongoing since March 2009 with 20.000 visitors, over 540 published articles and 12 responses by Slovenian representatives in the European Parliament to reports on discussions on various topics.
http://www.evropske-razprave.si/

2. Web petition for the Tobacco Euro, September 1st 2009 – January 14th 2010 with more than 2000 signatures by individuals and organisations.
http://www.sodeluj.net/peticija_tobacni_evro/

3. OKNO – open source software package for NGOs, 2009 – ongoing; the OKNO software package comprises a collection of fully functional open source software with user friendly office, graphics, internet and multimedia tools for the Windows environment in Slovenian language. The OKNO software package for NGOs is available with free basic information on using open source software. The OKNO project is a joint initiative of Slovenian NGOs.
http://www.coks.si/index.php5/OKNO

4. The information and communication web portal for civil society participation in the Slovenian EU Council Presidency, 2008 – archived; 170 publications in the web forum, 163 votes in web polls and 16.000 visitors.
http://www.predsedovanje.si/

5. Video e-participation of NGOs in civil society dialogue, 2007 – ongoing. More than 100 published comments and 22.000 visitors.
http://www.sodeluj.net/

VB: What is your vision of development?
SD: That global, social and environmental issues can be resolved through an active attitude of each individual towards the general quality of life. An active attitude means one has to be aware of the issue, able to identify its source and willing to make changes. From this aspect, the mission of political democracy is to encourage systemic use, co-creation and innovation of democratic decision-making mechanisms with the aim of implementing the desired changes.

VB: And the role of e-participation in this process?
SD: Its role is to establish publicly, accessible user-friendly web tools for providing information, exchange and presentation of opinions, articulation of arguments, development of solutions and participation in decision-making. This is a vision of a transparent and inclusive democratic political system in response to the social and environmental challenges of the 21st century.


We ask ourselves: Where do I start? Can I influence public matters? How much is my voice worth? I hope we have at least partly answered these questions in this latest issue of Aktualno 2.0. To me the message is clear: each voice counts, each comment counts, and each opinion counts. And there are tools that can carry our voice high up, to the highest level – manifestation. Will you get involved?

An alternative to inactivity

Today's conversation was filled with sunlight. Not merely due to the inherently innovative and original project led by our guest, but due to Gaja herself. Her energy, clarity, the sparkle in her eyes and her complete dedication to what she believes in - the Good, the Beneficial and the Secret of Life. She has opened a door to the world of thoughts and beliefs of youth to me, one that cannot be seen on the streets. It demonstrates their uncompromising values, broad thinking and the fresh views that they nurture in their minds and hearts, and then made visible from their actions. This is her story.


VB: Who is Gaja?
GNR: She is a person striving to constantly justify her own existence. A secondary school student. A teenager.

VB: What has so far been the most important element in the shaping of your personality? What has awoken the inner path you talk about?
GNR: I was lately, and most significantly defined by a period of time thatI spent with a friend with whom I wrote a short book for children with leukaemia. An important part of me matured with the book, for we were both drawing from our own deep experiences and explored life through this project.

Foto: Gaja Naja Rojec

VB: Why did you feel it was important for you to write a book?
GNR: We wanted to show that ultimately it is each person's inner strength that makes it possible for someone to survive and get well. Also, that this is just another in the series of experiences that enrich you and help you grow. We tried to say that a serious illness is a critical test for a person and everyone close to them. Our book is an ode to life. It is not only appropriate for children, it is for everyone. We wanted to show that this is only one of the life's challenges that make you stronger. Such an experience makes you aware of the importance of doing only those things that you truly want to do, and which you truly believe in. That all you seek is ultimately within you.

VB: How do you see yourself now?
GNR: I am currently in a very interesting phase. I have a lot going on - in my head, creatively, in my life . (A/N: This statement was accompanied by hearty laughter.)

VB: What is going on with your generation? Is it really so disoriented?
GNR: The youth may still have motivation, enthusiasm and moral values, however, it is true that many of my generation are in a certain state of apathy, which is a reflection of society and the way of living . but I wouldn't say it's as tragic as adults sometimes see it. Our group proves quite the opposite with our MakFest project. I too am sometimes disappointed with my peers, but then I meet individuals who have already achieved a lot at my age and I regain my positive views. Through the organisation of MakFest we constantly prove that sometimes all we need is just a bit of encouragement.

VB: MakFest?
GNR: It's a cultural festival for charity. But it's not just a festival - it's a project aimed at proving to the youth what we are capable of organising ourselves and the people that we are able to involve and activate.

MakFest – an excellent example of social innovation; the project initiated by Gaja Naja Rojec and organised by a group of enthusiastic secondary school students from the Poljane Grammar School is slowly growing into one of the largest secondary school cultural movements. www.makfest.si

VB: Why this particular content? Where does MakFest originate from?
GNR: It originates from the fact that our school, the Poljane Grammar School, the most humanistic of all secondary schools, has not yet organised and implemented a charity event. Initially, my friends and I were thinking of creating a charity week with an innovative twist to it. We wanted to make it dynamic. So, we were looking for ways of including our students' involvement in various cultural activities and give them an opportunity to present themselves. A festival seemed like the most appropriate form.

VB: And that shaped the content?
GNR: Yes. We thought it would be great that simultaneously, with the raising of funds for the Ljubljana Red Cross scholarship fund for disadvantaged students from single-parent families, we would provide an opportunity for gaining experience and references by participating in a festival together with established artists and performers. The core of the project is: activity of youth, for youth.

The team that works with Gaja Naja on the MakFest – a project everyone involved can be proud of: Eva Margon, Anja Koren, Anja Kapus, Alja Debeljak, Marja Javornik, Ana Kerin, Ana Potočnik and Darja Demšar.

VB:What range of cultural events will take place?
GNR: There will be concerts, theatre, a photography exhibition, a literary marathon, a marathon of friendly matches of ŠILA and IMPRO teams (T/N: improv theatre competitions), short-film screenings, and an auction of students' photos and of a series of original ceramic works by three young female artists studying at the Academy of Fine Arts and Design (Ana Kerin, Anja Radović and Polona Černe). Additionally, appearences at the festival have already been confirmed by Ego Malfunction, Kontrabant, Ultra, Katalena, Janez Lapajne with his feature film Kratki stiki, Teater Pozitiv with their theatre performance Strup, Dejmo stisnt teater with the Čefurji raus! theatre performance, Nejc Gazvoda, Katja Plut, Rada Kikelj and a short film by Igor Šterk.

VB: The Festival will be going on for a week?
GNR: Six days to be exact - from April 12th to April 17th 2010.

VB: How many events?
GNR: Sixteen events in six days.

VB: How many performers?
GNR: Over 150.

VB: Wow! This is a huge project. Where does a sixteen year old gain experience to organise such an event?
GNR: Nowhere. We are doing it to gain experience. Many people with notable experience are helping us with advice, for which we are extremely grateful. But it's also true that we have only recently become aware of the scale of the project.

There is still time to join the group of sponsors and donators. CALL 031 747 223 or attend the auction of students’ photos and of original ceramics works by three young female artists.

VB: What are the main challenges?
GNR: Coordinating such a mass of people. Since the entire project is funded by donations, sponsorships and voluntary work, the entire amount of money collected from tickets and the auction will go directly to the scholarship fund. Acquiring funds from sponsors is a great challenge for we need a large amount of finance,due to our policy.,and concepts. Although we constantly stress that each component is equally important; that we are stronger together; and that everyone is welcome to become a part of the MakFest; (as it is based on people and their energy), acquiring funding is the most difficult area. Nevertheless, if we manage to get an interview, people usually do not deny us their support.

VB: What are their expectations?
GNR: Actually, I feel we surprise everyone, and eliminate all preconceptions once we show them how much we have already achieved. I feel we are constantly breaking down stereotypes of what is impossible and possible - just look at all we've already achieved! Once we get to a meeting people are infected by our energy and enthusiasm.

VB: How are your peers responding to the project?
GNR: They are mostly very enthusiastic when we tell them about the project. I think everyone is still slightly uncertain for none of us completely comprehends the scale of the project, and because MakFest is still relatively unknown. Once they get to know us a bit, they are - just as all the adults - surprised by what we have already achieved and how we manage to do it with all the school work.

Foto: Gaja Naja Rojec

VB: You are becoming role models of some sort?
GNR: Our goal is by no means to take a position of superiority, rather, that every one is welcome to join us; that everyone can take part; and that we can succeed if we want to, and have the will to do so. We have ambassadors (presenting the project, seeking talent.) at every secondary school and anyone can join us through them. The word is getting around and we are slowly attracting new volunteers. We are counting on the actual effects of the project to be more palpable after the first festival and definitely in the years to come. We are all anticipating our first experience with the festival and the knowledge we gain will help us plan for the future. It's quite impossible to assess the response at this stage and we are aware we need to do a lot of work on promotion.

VB: What could be the broader effect of this project?
GNR: I imagine that the project could expand or even become an independent project that would involve all secondary schools (we are currently operating from our school for we are a group without ties to any other organisation and cannot function in any other way). It might become an independent festival - a movement. This is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate to everyone - but especially to ourselves - that we are not in a state of apathy and that we are capable of seeing it through. This is a very good project for demonstrating an alternative to inactivity, and inertia. We want to demonstrate that people are essentially good, and can work together to achieve what we really want to. We don't merely talk about it - we constantly prove it.



Violeta Bulc


Here, we have demonstrated, a true example of social innovation for us. But that is not the point. I hope these written words can portray the energy, vision, and vitality that is required to transform an idea into manifestation - to something true, good and beautiful. I hope the vibration will spread. Forward this story to your children, friends and people who are afraid or concerned for the future. Youth is demonstrating, once again that they can see further, that they believe in and are creating a world in their own image. Don't stop!