The five laureates who have scooped the 2023 Rolex Awards for Enterprise have been announced.
In 1976, Rolex set up the awards to mark the 50th anniversary of the first waterproof watch, the Oyster. Aiming to support those whose projects represented the pinnacle of innovation, the scheme celebrated individuals improving our knowledge of the world in ways that protected the environment, humans and animals.
Originally intended to be a one-off, the award proved so popular it became biennial, and has since highlighted 160 exceptional laureates. Here we meet those of the 2023 Rolex Awards for Enterprise.
Denica Riadini-Flesch
Biologist Constantino Aucca Chutas has been highlighted for his forest ecosystem restoration and protection programme in the high Andes. Since creating Asociación Ecosistemas Andinos (ECOAN) in 2000 and co-founding Acción Andina in 2018, he has made a significant contribution, creating 16 protected areas across Peru and other countries.
For Kenyan social entrepreneur Beth Koigi, clean water has been the focus, and the solar-powered generators harvesting water from air that she is creating will provide clean water to 3,000 people in ten communities.
Inza Koné
A biodiverse forest in Côte d’Ivoire will be protected by fellow laureate Inza Koné, who will continue to support community management and encourage sustainable livelihoods for people in the region.
Denica Riadini-Flesch will build on her history of working with rural craftswomen in Indonesia, equipping them with business skills and environmental stewardship education, while Liu Shaochuang will track wild camels in the Gobi Desert regions of China and Mongolia, via satellite, to support their future conservation.
The 2023 Rolex Awards for Enterprise have been decided by the ten jury members: Dr Antonio Arantes, Gonzalo Muñoz, Christine Loh, Dr Carlos M. Duarte, Dr Indira Chakravarty, Tsitsi Masiyiwa, Dr Katherine Hayhoe, Ed Viesturs, Dr Helen Czerski and Dr Brian P Schmidt.
Beth Koigi
Constantino Aucca Chutas
-
‘Hedonistic and avant-garde’: Rabanne’s Julian Dossena on the legacy of the chainmail 1969 bagPaco Rabanne’s 1969 chainmail handbag encapsulates the late designer’s futuristic, space-age style. Current creative director Julien Dossena tells Wallpaper* about the bag’s particular pleasures
-
Postcard from Paris: Olympic fever takes over the streetsOn the eve of the opening ceremony of Paris 2024, our correspondent shares her views from the streets of the capital about how the event is impacting the urban landscape.
-
The Mercury Prize nominees for 2024 have been revealedCharli XCX, The Last Dinner Party and Beth Gibbons are amongst this year's nominees
-
All that glitters: five gold watches for 2024Gold watches from Rolex, Tudor, Cartier, Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin are on our radar for 2024, all part of a trend seen at the recent Watches and Wonders
-
All the Rolex watches launched at Watches and Wonders 2024This year, Rolex watches marry past design codes with modern technology
-
Rolex wins Best Pop Art in the Wallpaper* Design Awards 2024The Rolex Oyster Perpetual watch rejoices in colour
-
Watches and Wonders 2023: the highlightsDiscover the best watches from Watches and Wonders 2023
-
Baselworld 2015 tour: our pick of the best pavilions at the world’s biggest watch and jewellery fair -
Baselworld 2012: Wallpaper's top 15 watches
