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PRESS
Global Impact, Exciting Events
From the Founder: A Year of Consolidation
April 14, 2026
Since 2017, more than 453 students from 37 countries have moved through our programs, each one bringing a genuinely different perspective, a different language, a different stage of their own developing awareness, to their encounter with the living systems we study together.
That knowledge is real, and it has always been the foundation of everything we build.
In 2026, we are making a deliberate decision to step back from expansion and do something we have never had the infrastructure to do before: go back through everything: every student contribution, every field observation, every research thread and weave it into the master architecture that our methodology has always promised.
That methodology is called Recursive Systems Inquiry (RSI).
This year we will first apply it first to ourselves, internally, before implementing it across all of our projects. We began with our Spring 2026 trimester. For the first time, we have the tools to do it at the scale it requires. Here is what that looks like, and why it matters.
Read more in the pdf attached below.
Chasing Beauty : Isabella Stewart Gardener Biography
March 3, 2026
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On March 3rd, 2026, The College Club of Boston hosted an evening dedicated to Chasing Beauty : The Life of Isabella Stewart Gardner by Natalie Dykstra, organized by the New England Chapter of the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art. The event explored the life and legacy of Isabella Stewart Gardner, highlighting her role as a visionary cultural figure who reshaped Boston’s artistic landscape.
During her lecture, Dykstra traced Gardner’s journey from her early life in New York to the creation of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in 1903, a Venetian-inspired space designed as an immersive environment where art, architecture, and personal vision converge. The discussion emphasized Gardner’s independence, her relationships with artists and scholars, and her active role in shaping every aspect of the museum.
The evening concluded with a book signing and reception, bringing together historians, architects, and art enthusiasts to reflect on Gardner’s enduring influence and the lasting impact of her bold cultural patronage.
MENA Conference
February 21, 2026
On February 21st, 2026, Born Global Foundation participated in the MENA Conference at Harvard Business School, a major forum focused on innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic transformation across the Middle East and North Africa. The event brought together entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and diaspora leaders to discuss how to scale regional startups globally and strengthen entrepreneurial ecosystems.
During the conference, Born Global Foundation explored strategic partnership opportunities to support Beirut’s startup ecosystem, particularly through engagement with the Shark Tank network and its global community of investors and mentors. Discussions focused on creating pathways for Lebanese founders to access mentorship, improve investor readiness, and connect with international markets.
The event reinforced the importance of cross-border collaboration in unlocking regional talent, and marked the beginning of ongoing efforts by Born Global Foundation to build stronger links between North American and MENA innovation ecosystems.
Tiny Gardens Everywhere
February 17, 2026
At Brookline Booksmith, an evening dedicated to Tiny Gardens Everywhere featured MIT professor Kate Brown in conversation with Kenda Mutongi, exploring how small scale urban gardening can transform food systems, public health, and community resilience. The discussion highlighted how overlooked urban spaces can be reclaimed and converted into community gardens, restoring shared stewardship over land while supporting biodiversity.
Beyond environmental benefits, the conversation emphasized the role of local cultivation in strengthening food security and reducing dependence on industrial agriculture. Tiny gardens were presented as practical tools for building healthier communities through locally grown food, knowledge sharing, and stronger neighborhood connections.
For Born Global Foundation, the event reinforced the idea that meaningful change often begins at a human scale, with grassroots initiatives that reconnect communities to land, food production, and collective responsibility
Persona : Isabella Stewart Gardener
February 17, 2026
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On February 17th, 2026, Born Global Foundation attended the exclusive preview of PERSONA at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston, an exhibition exploring identity, performance, and self representation in contemporary art. The evening brought together artists, curators, philanthropists, and thought leaders for discussions on how identity is constructed and expressed in an increasingly interconnected world.
Featuring curatorial insights from Pieranna Cavalchini and opening remarks by Director Peggy Fogelman, the event offered a deeper understanding of the exhibition’s themes, further illustrated by a live performance of The Dollhouse by multidisciplinary artist Narcissister.
For Born Global Foundation, participating in events like PERSONA reflects a commitment to engaging in cultural conversations that shape how identity, leadership, and global citizenship evolve. By connecting with artistic and philanthropic communities, the foundation continues to support spaces where creativity, dialogue, and leadership intersect.
College Club : An Immense World
February 12, 2026
At The College Club, a Book & Dinner gathering centered on Ed Yong’s An Immense World brought participants together for a thoughtful discussion on animal perception and sensory ecology. The conversation explored how different species experience reality through their own unique sensory systems, a concept known as the Umwelt, revealing that the world humans perceive represents only a small part of a much larger ecological reality.
Participants reflected on how animals rely on complex sensory environments to navigate, communicate, and survive, and how human activity such as artificial light, noise, and pollution can disrupt these perceptual worlds. The discussion highlighted the importance of understanding multi-species awareness when addressing environmental challenges.
For Born Global Foundation, conversations like this reinforce the importance of ecological literacy and empathy in shaping a more responsible relationship with nature, encouraging a broader perspective on conservation and humanity’s place within a shared planetary system.
Museum of Science : School Biology Day
February 11, 2026
On February 11th, 2026, Born Global Foundation participated in Biology Day at the Museum of Science, an event designed to engage students, families, and educators in exploring biology and environmental systems. During the event, the foundation hosted a youth outreach and recruitment table, connecting with young learners interested in science, sustainability, and global impact.
Through conversations and hands-on materials, students explored topics such as biodiversity, climate systems, and environmental stewardship while discovering opportunities to become involved in future initiatives. The event highlighted how public STEM education can inspire curiosity and empower young people to see science as a pathway to leadership and real-world change.
For Born Global Foundation, Biology Day reinforced the importance of supporting youth engagement in science and sustainability, helping cultivate a new generation prepared to address environmental challenges with knowledge, responsibility, and purpose
Inside the Sensorium
February 10, 2026
On February 10th, 2026, Born Global Foundation attended Inside the Sensorium at the DeCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, an event exploring the intersection of art, neuroscience, and human perception. The evening began with a visit to the museum’s galleries before a lecture session led by researchers from Boston University focusing on how the brain processes sensory information.
The discussion examined how perception, cognition, and sensory experiences shape the way humans interpret the world, offering insights into how the brain constructs meaning from what we see, hear, and taste. For Born Global Foundation, the event aligned with its growing interest in research-driven innovation, particularly in areas related to neuroscience and sensory experience.
By engaging with researchers and academic institutions, the foundation continues to foster dialogue at the intersection of science, culture, and human experience, while exploring new opportunities for collaboration and future research initiatives.
Artlab : Embodied Communication & Robotics
February 9, 2026
On February 9th, 2026, Born Global Foundation attended ArtLab: Embodied Communication and Robotics, an immersive experience exploring how movement, physical awareness, and presence shape the relationship between humans and technology. Rather than focusing solely on technical performance, the event invited participants to rethink robotics as a medium for interaction and communication.
Through embodied exercises and interactive demonstrations, ArtLab highlighted how innovation changes when the human body becomes part of the technological experience. The event emphasized that technology reflects the intentions and values of its creators, and that meaningful innovation must remain grounded in empathy, awareness, and human connection.
For Born Global Foundation, the experience reinforced the importance of approaching technological progress with conscious leadership, encouraging a future where innovation remains deeply connected to human values and lived experience.
HBS Women in Business Conference
February 7, 2026
On February 7th, 2026, Born Global Foundation sponsored the HBS Women in Business Conference at Harvard Business School, bringing together leaders, founders, students, and innovators committed to shaping a more inclusive future for business.
Through keynote sessions, panels, and discussions, participants explored how women are redefining leadership with approaches rooted in purpose, empathy, and long-term vision. A key theme throughout the event was that modern leadership requires not only performance and ambition but also the ability to navigate complexity while remaining deeply human.
For Born Global Foundation, supporting this conference reflects a core belief that advancing women’s leadership strengthens innovation, economies, and global collaboration. By helping create spaces where ideas, connections, and perspectives can flourish, the event contributed to building a new generation of purposeful and globally minded leaders
MIT Music & Theater Arts Section
February 6, 2026
Born Global Foundation supported a dance performance presented by the MIT Music & Theater Arts Section that explored themes of womanhood, identity, and sexuality through immersive choreography and storytelling. Co-created by Lilach Orenstein and Sara Brown and performed by Kat Sotelo and Chanel Stone at MIT’s Building W97 Theater, the piece invited audiences to reflect on complex questions of agency, vulnerability, and lived experience.
By combining movement, lighting, sound, and spatial design, the performance demonstrated how artistic expression can open meaningful dialogue and communicate ideas that go beyond words. The event also highlighted MIT’s unique environment where the arts intersect with science and technology, fostering creativity across disciplines.
For Born Global Foundation, supporting this project reflects a broader commitment to the arts as a catalyst for innovation, empathy, and leadership, reinforcing the belief that creativity plays a vital role in shaping more thoughtful and inclusive societies.
Trust, Authority and Global Change
January 29, 2026
On January 29th, 2026, the Born Global Foundation hosted a Masters Series gathering titled Trust, Authority, and Global Change at the Raffles Residences Boston. Organized in collaboration with Boston University’s Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies, the event brought together global scholars, institutional leaders, and international students for an in-depth dialogue on institutional legitimacy and the role of trust in a changing global landscape.
The discussion featured Noora Lori, Adil Najam, and Cynthia Cohen, who engaged participants in an open exchange about how trust is built within universities, governments, and global institutions. Rather than formal presentations, the conversation encouraged reflection and direct interaction between students and senior leaders.
A central focus of the evening was the lived experience of international students, whose perspectives highlighted how migration systems, higher education, and global politics intersect in shaping belonging and opportunity. The event also opened the door to future collaborations between Born Global Foundation and Boston University around themes of hospitality, displacement, and global identity.
More than a single discussion, the gathering reflected Born Global Foundation’s commitment to fostering thoughtful dialogue and building trust through meaningful engagement across institutions and cultures.
The Velvet Party
January 28, 2026
On January 28th, the annual Velvet Party transformed the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum into an immersive celebration of art, fashion, and contemporary creativity. Inspired by Isabella Stewart Gardner’s legacy of bold cultural patronage, the event invited guests to experience the museum not simply as visitors but as participants in a living artistic dialogue.
Through contemporary installations, performances, and fashion set within the museum’s historic Venetian-style architecture, the evening highlighted the ongoing relationship between heritage and modern artistic expression. The event demonstrated how cultural institutions can honor tradition while remaining relevant by opening their spaces to new audiences and innovative programming.
More than a social gathering, the Velvet Party embodied the spirit of cultural philanthropy that defined Gardner’s vision. By blending fundraising, artistic experimentation, and community engagement, the event reinforced the enduring importance of supporting the arts as a platform for dialogue, inspiration, and global connection.
Excessive Fashion: Joe Malaika Runway & Private Salon
December 18, 2025
Born Global proudly sponsored Excessive Fashion, the December runway presentation by designer Joe Malaika, who served as Born Global’s Artist‑in‑Residence for 2025 and will continue his residency into 2026. The runway show showcased Malaika’s bold, expressive design language—where fashion becomes narrative, craftsmanship, and cultural commentary.
Following the public runway, Born Global hosted a private salon and meet‑and‑greet at the Raffles, bringing together the designer, participating models, and members of the Born Global community for intimate conversation around creative process, identity, and the future of fashion as a platform for meaning.
Runway Show: December 16, 2025 – Marriott Boston Peabody
Private Salon: December 17, 2025 – Raffles Boston
From Symbols to Sense: Beyond Language in the Age of AI
December 15, 2025
Born Global hosted an intimate evening colloquium, From Symbols to Sense: Beyond Language in the Age of AI, with theologian and ethicist Dr. Charbel Batour, S.J., as part of the Beirut Ethics Colloquium series. The conversation explored the limits of language-based intelligence—human and artificial—and examined embodied, relational, and pre-verbal forms of knowing that shape ethics, desire, and human flourishing.
Drawing on traditions of interdisciplinary salons and long-form dialogue, the gathering created space for rigorous inquiry into what remains uniquely human in an era increasingly defined by AI.
MIT Conference: Spirituality & Consciousness in the Age of AI
November 8, 2025
Born Global attended MIT’s conference on Spirituality and Consciousness in the Age of AI, a convening exploring how emerging technologies intersect with human awareness, ethics, and meaning.
The event brought together technologists, philosophers, artists, and contemplative practitioners for interdisciplinary dialogue on the future of artificial intelligence—not only as a technical system, but as a force shaping how humans understand consciousness, creativity, and responsibility.
The conference reflected a growing movement within leading academic institutions to pair innovation with reflection, emphasizing that the future of AI must be guided by both scientific rigor and human wisdom.
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Ethiopia Expedition Scholarly Salon: Myrrh, Knowledge & Continuity
Date: November 2, 2025
Location: Raffles Boston, Boston, MA
Born Global hosted a private, full-day scholarly salon at the Raffles to mark the launch of the Myrrh Ethiopia Expedition, led by Dr. Anjanette DeCarlo. Designed as an intimate academic convening, the event brought together prominent scholars, educators, and practitioners whose work spans Ethiopian field research, sacred forests, women’s ecological knowledge systems, migration, and ancient trade routes.
Rather than a single keynote, the program unfolded as a curated sequence of talks and conversations, allowing participants to engage deeply with Ethiopia as both a living culture and a historical nexus of ecology, spirituality, and commerce. Particular attention was given to frankincense and myrrh—resins whose medicinal, economic, and symbolic roles link Ethiopia to ancient Mediterranean civilizations and to contemporary global supply chains.
Central to the gathering was a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony, structured around the ritual cups of Abol, Tona, and Baraka, symbolizing arrival, dialogue, and blessing. This ceremony grounded scholarly exchange in cultural practice, reflecting Born Global’s belief that knowledge is most powerful when scholarship, ritual, and human presence are held together.
The salon was attended by more than 20 participants from institutions including Babson College, Boston College, and Boston University, and exemplified Born Global’s expedition-based learning model—uniting research, culture, and community in service of long-term understanding and regeneration.
Impossible Lebanon Award Ceremony
October 15, 2025
The ceremony highlighted the work of Sienna Kurban and honored three student winners, joined by their parents, teachers, and members of Lebanon’s education community. The event was also attended by education organizations Waznet and TeachersForLebanon.org, who had previously joined Born Global in Boston as part of a Lebanese Education Council delegation.
Completion of the Divinité Painting: Impossible Lebanon Art Residency
Date: September 30, 2025
Location: Lebanon
Born Global marked the completion of the Divinité Painting, the culmination of a three-year artistic journey launched through the Impossible Lebanon initiative and its artist-in-residence program.
The work centers on the goddesses Athena, Aphrodite, and Artemis, woven together through a biodiversity-inspired palette and symbolic plants and animals associated with each figure. The composition unfolds through the Mediterranean Sea, linking the ancient civilizations of the Levant, Greece, and Rome to modern-day Lebanon.
The completed painting stands as both an artistic achievement and a living expression of Born Global’s commitment to cultural continuity, ecological symbolism, and regeneration across generations.
Born Global Lebanon Community Gathering: Beit Mery Pool Day
Date: August 5, 2025
Location: Beit Mery, Lebanon
Born Global hosted an in-person summer gathering at its home in Beit Mery, Lebanon, bringing together more than 20 current and former Lebanese interns for a day of connection and celebration.
The poolside gathering offered space for students across cohorts to reconnect, share stories, and strengthen friendships over home-cooked food, sunshine, and music—reflecting the enduring bonds formed through Born Global’s programs.
More than a social event, the day underscored Born Global’s commitment to community, continuity, and long-term relationships, honoring alumni as an integral part of the Foundation’s global network.
Urban Forestry & Climate Resilience Research: Miyawaki Forests in Boston
Date: July 14, 2025
Location: Boston & Cambridge, MA
Born Global advanced its urban climate resilience work through a hands-on research initiative examining how the Miyawaki Forest Method can mitigate urban heat and support environmental justice across Greater Boston.
Working alongside the Charles River Watershed Association, interns conducted site visits and GIS-based analysis across priority locations, including Danehy Park in Cambridge and sites within the Charles River Watershed. The project reflects Born Global’s commitment to regenerative, place-based solutions that integrate ecological science, community insight, and long-term stewardship.
Born Global Business Team Conducts First SMR Pre-Feasability Study
July 1, 2025
Born Global’s Business Team completes its first Small Modular Reactor (SMR) pre-feasibility study, led by Colleen Coffey, a Yale-trained engineer and civilian graduate of the US Naval Nuclear Power School, who previously served as a renewable project engineer within the Department of Energy Loan Programs Office.
Applying first-of-a-kind technologies to help address the global energy crisis, the study focuses on Jonesboro, Maine and is supported by MBA students from Harvard, George Washington University, Cornell, Boston University, UCLA, and Babson College.
Enjoy the report here.
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Born Global Community Gathering: Private Gardner Museum Tour & Lunch
Date: June 11, 2025
Location: Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston, MA
Born Global hosted a private tour and lunch at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, bringing together students from Boston University and Babson College for a cross-disciplinary community gathering.
The convening included mentor **Jared Kalera**, a lawyer and amputee from Uganda, who is collaborating with the Babson Generator competition winners and Born Global Artist in Residence Joe Malaika on an adaptive fashion project rooted in biomimicry and human-centered design.
Set within the Gardner Museum, the gathering reinforced Born Global’s model of pairing cultural immersion with mentorship, transforming academic achievement into real-world creative and social impact.
WorldBoston Lebanese Education Delegation: Home Hospitality Evening
Date: May 2025
Location: Al Wadi, Boston, MA
Born Global hosted a Lebanese education delegation in partnership with WorldBoston, an organization dedicated to cultural exchange through home hospitality. The delegation was welcomed for an intimate evening centered on Lebanese cuisine, conversation, and shared heritage.
The gathering took place at Al Wadi, an upscale Lebanese restaurant operated by a member of the extended Samaha family, where traditional dishes were prepared and served family-style. The evening reflected Born Global’s belief that education diplomacy and cross-cultural understanding are most meaningfully advanced through human connection and shared meals.
MIT Sustainability Summit: Advancing Climate Resilience & Responsible Innovation
Date: May 1–2, 2025
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
​Born Global Foundation was a sponsor of the MIT Sustainability Summit, hosting the VIP biodynamic wine tasting for the fourth year. Curated by Dr. Kimberly Samaha, a Ritz Escoffier–trained chef and wine-pairing expert, the tasting highlighted biodynamic viticulture as a living model of regenerative agriculture within broader sustainability discussions.
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum: Restoration & Nasturtiums Spring Party
Date: April 2, 2025
Location: Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston, MA
Born Global attended the Gardner Museum’s Nasturtiums Spring Party with Artist in Residence Joe Malaika, continuing its relationship with the Museum’s restoration and artist programs.
Babson College: The Generator AI & Entrepreneurship Competition
Date: April 11, 2025
Location: Babson College, Weissman Foundry, Wellesley, MA
Born Global served as judge and sponsor, awarding a $25,000 grand prize for Best Biomimicry-Based Solution inspired by a roadrunner’s foot.
Born Global Boston Strategy & Program Design Convening
Date: April 2, 2025
Location: Boston, MA
Born Global convened its interdisciplinary team in Boston to refine upcoming projects and summer programs using systems-based design principles.
Harvard Business School: Social Enterprise Conference (SECON)
Date: March 11, 2025
Location: Harvard Business School, Boston, MA
Born Global sponsored and engaged with the Social Enterprise Conference (SECON) at Harvard Business School, centered on the theme “A New Roadmap for Impact.”
The conference explored how business, education, and innovation can address global challenges through sustainability, workforce development, and systems-level change.
SECON reinforced Born Global’s commitment to engaging with institutions and ideas shaping the future of social enterprise and economic resilience.
Harvard Business School: Global Families in Business Conference
Date: March 4, 2025
Location: Harvard Business School, Boston, MA
Born Global served as a judge and sponsor at The Generator’s AI & Entrepreneurship Competition, a Microsoft-sponsored program focused on applied innovation.
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Born Global awarded the grand prize for Best Biomimicry-Based Solution—four full scholarships to its summer program—representing a $25,000 investment in student development.
The winning team applied biomimicry inspired by a roadrunner’s foot, translating natural stability into a prosthetic concept aimed at improving balance and mobility.
International Women and Girls in Science Day
February 11, 2025
Born Global recognized International Women and Girls in Science Day by highlighting its women-led global community and its commitment to advancing gender equity across STEM disciplines.
With more than 70% of the organization composed of women, Born Global supports students pursuing leadership pathways in fields including applied chemistry, neuroscience, environmental science, engineering, and materials science.
This commitment is reflected across Born Global’s high school programs, college internships, and fellowships designed to support long-term scientific and professional growth.
Gardner Velvet Party
January 28, 2025
Location: Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston, MA
Born Global once again sponsored the annual Gardner Velvet Party, a completely sold-out event widely regarded as one of Boston’s most anticipated cultural evenings. Long considered the ultimate talk of the town, the Velvet Party transforms the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum into an after-hours celebration of art, music, fashion, and community.
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Rooted in Isabella Stewart Gardner’s legendary love of velvet, the evening blends theatrical elegance with contemporary cultural expression, drawing leaders from Boston’s academic, artistic, and philanthropic communities.
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Born Global’s continued presence reflects its longstanding relationship with the Museum and its commitment to supporting institutions where art, heritage, and creative experimentation intersect.
Born Global and BranchD Join Forces for Global Sustainability
October 24th, 2024
We are proud to announce our partnership with BranchD, a community platform created by former Born Global interns Maia Samaha, Nicolas Sesson Farre, and Nicolas Vallarino Bjarner.
BranchD connects students and professionals from around the world through educational programs and sustainability initiatives aimed at fostering collaboration and driving real environmental impact.
Be the ripple that makes waves. Join today!
4th Annual Summer Gallery Walk
August 23rd, 2024
This summer, Born Global's impact stretched across 17 countries as 80+ interns showcased their groundbreaking projects at our annual Gallery Walk!
Each project, whether it focused on sustainable marine technologies, ecological restoration, or the exploration of Celtic culture, was a reflection of the creativity and determination that defines our Born Global family. We couldn’t be more proud of what you all accomplished!
Walk Through Miyawaki Forest
August 13th, 2024
To wrap up our BG internship field trips, we visited the Danehy Park Miyawaki Forest in Cambridge! Planted in 2021, Miyawaki is an afforestation method that uses many native tree species planted in a dense area, usually in urban areas. We're excited to announce that next year, we'll be planting a Miyawaki Forest on Boston University’s campus as part of our Roots of Change project, continuing our commitment to creating green spaces, reducing the urban heat island effect, and promoting biodiversity.
Venturing Through Timeless Art
August 8th, 2024
Team Born Global immersed themselves in the rich tapestry of history and creativity at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.
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Isabella was not just an art collector, but also a visionary philanthropist and patron of the arts. Over her lifetime, she curated an extraordinary collection of more than 7,500 pieces, including paintings, sculptures, and furniture from time periods like Ancient Rome and Medieval Europe.
At just 23, Isabella made a defining purchase—Rembrandt van Rijn’s Self-Portrait—which inspired her to transform her private collection into the public museum we treasure today.
Redesigning the Olympics
August 6th, 2024
We are excited to introduce our scholar-in-residence, Nicholas Heier, who is currently pursuing a PhD in Engineering and the Built Environment at Griffith University in Brisbane, Australia!
Nick is working with us in our Paris office this summer, focusing on applying Biomimicry to achieve Nature Positive impacts for the legacy infrastructure of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.
His thesis aims to deliver an Olympic Legacy that creates conditions conducive to life by using sustainable building materials, integrating the Olympic Village so that it functions like existing natural forests, and making public transportation more efficient and accessible.
Planetarium Visit in Boston
July 28th, 2024
We are officially half way through our summer internship! Our BG interns went to the Museum of Science planetarium to watch “God, Science, and Our Search for Meaning.” This was a one-of-a-kind show that explores humankind’s oldest questions, revealing the interplay between science and religion as they both strive to explain our deepest mysteries.
Forest Bathing with Diane Pienta
July 19th, 2024
Dr. Samaha and interns from the BG team immersed themselves in the beauty of nature during a forest bathing session led by Diane Pienta at Hall's Pond Sanctuary.
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Shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, is the practice of opening your senses and bridging the gap between yourself and the natural world. This ancient Japanese practice offers numerous health benefits, including reduced stress, improved mood, and enhanced creativity.
Energy Boat Challenge in Monaco
July 7th, 2024
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Members from the Blue Economy team touched down in Monaco for the 2024 Energy Boat Challenge. Throughout the week, the team attended technology talks about sustainable fuels, learned how to design and drive solar-powered boats, and enjoyed exploring the beauty of Monaco together.
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Interns Maia Samaha and Nico Sesson spent time interviewing competing teams about cutting-edge innovations in sustainable maritime transportation, guided by Dr. Cooper Yerby.
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Perfume Making in Grasse, France
June 22nd, 2024
Under the expert instruction of Jessica September Buchanan and the leadership of BG Mentor Kristina Dryža, the Divinite-Neuromarketing team explored the creation of fragrances that evoke individuality at the Fragonard Factory.
2024 Davos World Biodiversity Forum
June 18th, 2024
Every year, the WBF brings together biodiversity researchers and practitioners to explore how to move from science to action. Our mentors and interns attended the opening plenary session and participated in various workshops, from advancements in environmental law to innovations in biodiversity monitoring. To wrap up the week, our team members presented on bio-inspired technology and communications towards organizational optimization.
Our Boston University Impact Report
launched October 4th 2023
Our newly released Impact Report focuses on our involvement with Boston University and our support of sustainability internships and competitions for their students.
Click here to read more.
Regeneration in One Generation
part of Biomimicry Switzerland's Autumn Webinar Series
September 27th, 2023 at 6PM CET
Biomimicry Switzerland is hosting Dr. Samaha to present the Foundation impact report about the mentorship and internship programs that lead to career paths in sustainability from 2020 to 2023.
Guest Lecture with the Wilson Center Middle East Program's
Agents of Change Youth Fellows
September 20th, 2023
Dr. Samaha and George Washington University Professor Jamil Wyne spoke to the Wilson Center Middle East Program's Agents of Change Youth Fellows on the topic of climate entrepreneurship.
Fellows from Morocco to Iraq joined the Q&A session to learn from Dr. Samaha and Professor Wyne's decades of experience and share their own experiences and challenges in addressing climate action and humanitarian issues.
Braiding Sweetgrass with Gullah Elders
September 19th, 2023
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Dr. Samaha spent the afternoon Braiding Sweetgrass with Michael Smalls and Dino Badger -Gullah elders from Lowcountry, South Carolina.
Sweetgrass basket sewing is a craft that originated in Sierra Leone West Africa, and was brought to the low country by enslaved African people where basketry was first used for the harvesting of rice, fruit and vegetables on the plantations and later used for decorative purposes.
Michael and Dino are seventh generation basket weavers who come from descendants of the Laurel Hill plantation of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.
Born Global continues to use chapters from Robin Wall Kimmerer's Braiding Sweetgrass to develop biomimicry curricula that aims to deepen and broaden our interns' relationship with the living world.
Completion of the Capra Course
August 25th, 2023
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Born Global invited Hult Prize participants and the Born Global summer interns to take part in Fritjof Capra's Systems Thinking course.
The course included 2 live forums with Fritjof Capra, 12 online lectures and feedback sessions between the Hult Prize participants and the summer interns.
At the end of August, dozens of certificates were awarded to the course participants.
The 3rd Annual Summer Gallery Walk:
A Showcase in Innovation and Regeneration
August 4th, 2023
Born Global's Summer 2023 interns, who ranged from college sophomore to MBA and PhD candidates, presented their research to and took questions and feedback from industry experts.
Research topics included: computational modeling, reforestation, environmental policy, edutainment, desalination, experiential learning, stakeholder analysis, regenerative finance, transmedia storytelling and women's empowerment.
“A Deeper Sense of Place: Growing Bioregional Stewardship”
Tranformations' 2023 North American Systems Thinking Workshop
July 17th-19th 2023
Dr. Samaha and the Born Global Summer 2023 interns were invited to attend the Transformations 2023 North American Conference held in Freeport, Maine from July 17th to 19th.
The theme of the workshop was "Deeper Sense of Place," and interns engaged in conversations and nature-based activities that deepened their own sense of place, explored the topics of transformation and systems thinking, and brought them closer to the natural world.
For many of the eight interns attending, this was their first time meeting each other in-person.
Born Global has partnered with Capra Course!
Hult Prize participants took part in the course and collaborative feedback panels.
Born Global is very excited to be offering Fritjof Capra's Capra Course through the foundation. In addition to providing 12 pre-recorded lectures and downloadable course materials, Fritjof Capra, one of the godfathers of systems thinking, hosted two live online forums with Born Global. Additionally, participants had the opportunity to interact with Born Global interns to discuss the ways they integrated systems thinking into their own projects.
All participants received a certificate signed by Fritjof himself upon successful completion of the course. The registration fee is $500.
2023 MIT Sustainability Summit
April 28th, 2023
Born Global sponsored the biodynamic wine booth at the newly renovated MIT Museum for the 2023 MIT Sustainability Summit. We were joined by some of our Boston area mentors, interns, and Social Impact MBA students from Boston University who are working on our Chasing Carbon (Artemis) project.
Complexity Adventure's April 2023 Summit
April 28th-30th, 2023
Our CEO and founder Dr. Kimberly Samaha served as one of the Guides for Complexity Adventure's April 2023 Summit on Systems Thinking, Ecological Ethics & Economics, Employment in Biomimicry, and Innovation.
All of our summer 2023 internship projects will be focusing on one or more of these areas. Additionally, we are offering Fritjof Capra's Systems Thinking course through the foundation. Registration is currently open at bornglobalfoundation.org/register
Tea and a Tour at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
March 19th, 2023
On March 19th, we were joined by some of our mentors and undergraduate interns from Boston University for tea and a private tour at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. These mentors and interns are a key part of our summer internship program, and we are so happy to be working with them.
Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) Webinar with Environmental Impacts Academy
March 16th, 2023
On March 16th, our CEO and founder Dr. Kimberly Samaha participated in a panel discussion on Assessing Nature Based Solutions with Life Cycle Analysis.
Several of Born Global's previous internship projects have specifically focused on LCA, and almost all of our projects are focused on finding nature-based solutions to some of the world's biggest environmental and social challenges.
The Velvet Party Winter Soirée at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
January 5th, 2023
Our CEO and founder Dr. Kimberly Samaha attended the Velvet Party at Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, where Born Global has now officially become a corporate sponsor for support and integration of our art programs. There with Kristin Zecca, MBA, CPC from MIT’s executive education department who will be working with us on VTS Visual Thinking Strategies
"Visual Thinking Strategies" is an inquiry-based teaching method created by cognitive psychologist Abigail House and museum educator Philip Yenawine. In Yenawine's latest book, he defines VTS as the use of art to teach "visual literacy, thinking, and communication skills."
The Debut of the Divinité fragrances at Baccarat Miami
December 4th, 2022
After a year of intern-driven research and development, Born Global supporters experienced the debut of the Divinité fragrances at a champagne brunch held at Baccarat Miami during the weekend of Art Basel. The Divinté team received great feedback, with the overwhelming crowd favorite being our Artemis.
Born Global will be launching a luxury branding program centered on Divinté in partnership with Boston University's Questrom School of Business in Spring 2023 and continue with a team of interns in Summer 2023. The summer application window opens early February 2023. We are looking for undergraduate students from a variety of disciplines, including business, advertising, public relations, and graphic design. Please stay tuned for more information.
The Season of Creation project final presentations
October 2nd, 2022
The Season of Creation project 2022 was implemented by the Vatican as way for people around the world to "renew their commitment to their common home." The "season" lasted from September 1st to October 4th.
During this time, 21 of our interns from Lebanon explored ways to renew their own commitment to our planet in the fields of Education, Science, and Art. This included the creation of an educational magazine and sustainability-focused community service projects.
Born Global participated in the World Biodiversity Forum in
Davos, Switzerland!
JUNE 26 - JULY 1 2022
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"Under the theme Inspiration for Action, the second World Biodiversity Forum brought together researchers across all disciplines of biodiversity science with
practitioners and societal actors in a forum that offers
inspiration and examples for actions and solutions to
conserve biodiversity, and set us on a path towards
transformation for sustainability."
We sponsored a group of over 30 interns for this event!
Find out more about the conference here: https://www.worldbiodiversityforum.org/en
