Rolex Awards for Enterprise
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The Rolex Awards is a series of biennial awards "aimed at fostering a spirit of enterprise around the world", promoted by the Swiss wristwatch company Rolex. The Rolex Awards recognize outstanding achievement, particularly in the areas of science and medicine; technology and innovation; exploration and discovery; the environment; and cultural heritage.
The awards accord generous support to five Laureates and five Associate Laureates for their pioneering efforts to expand knowledge and improve human life. For their new ventures or completion of ongoing projects. Laureates receive US$ 100,000 each, a gold Rolex chronometer, the benefits of official recognition via an awards ceremony and international publicity. The Associate Laureates whose projects are deemed exceptionally promising by the judges also each receive a financial award (US$ 50,000 Associate Laureates in 2008; before it was US$ 35,000), a steel-and-gold Rolex chronometer, and official recognition through ceremonies in their home countries. The accomplishments of these Laureates and Associate Laureates benefit needy communities in the developing world.
As of 2008, 110 laureates have been selected since the awards were established in 1976. Judging is done by world-famous experts. All Laureates and Associate Laureates apply in their own behalf.
[edit] Award-winners
The Rolex Award Laureates for 2008 included:
- Alexis Belonio, Filipino innovator of rice husk stove
The Rolex Award Laureates for 2006 included:
- Alexandra Lavriller - "A disappearing culture"
- Brad Norman - "Saving the gentle giant"
- Pilai Poonswad - "Great mother of the hornbills"
- Chanda Shroff - "Reviving Kutchi traditions"
- Rory Wilson - "Observation in the wild"
The Rolex Award Laureates for 2004 included:
- Lonnie Dupre, an explorer who crossed the Arctic in the summer of 2005
- Claudia Feh, a scientist working with Mongolian nomads
- Archeologist David Lordkipanidze
- Teresa Manera, who works to preserve prehistoric animal footprints
- Kikuo Morimoto, whose work is to revive Cambodian silk producing, particularly as a means of providing employment for Cambodian villagers
The Rolex Award Laureates for 2002 included:
- Gordon Sato, environmental project - planting mangrove trees in Eritrea
