This month marks the beginning of the second cohort of beVisioneers: The Mercedes-Benz Fellowship, the biggest fellowship in the world for young-eco innovators.

This year, beVisioneers grows from 100 fellows in their first year to 500 fellows, including fellows from five new countries: Kenya, Mexico, South Korea, Uganda and the United States.

Funded by donations from Mercedes-Benz, beVisioneers equips innovators aged 16 to 28 with the training, expert support and resources to bring their planet-positive projects to life.

Fellows do not need an entrepreneurial track-record or education, simply an idea that can help build a sustainable future. Financial accessibility is at the heart of the fellowship, where basic living and technology support for those who could not otherwise participate is provided.

New fellows include 28-year-old Fiona Njeri Macharia from Kenya, who is dedicated to revolutionizing farming practices through the utilization of IoT, big data, and blockchain technology. With beVisioneers Fiona is creating an end-to-end digital marketplace, empowering consumers to access a wide range of Indigenous and Traditional Food Crops (ITFCs).

Taylor Marshall from the United States is addressing the environmental impact of the funeral industry, particularly CO2 emissions from traditional caskets and metal leaching into the soil. At just 25-years-old, Taylor is promoting Green Burial Sites as a sustainable solution, cultivating willow for carbon sequestration and advocating for eco-friendly casket alternatives.

Dedicated to tackling global water scarcity and clean energy access, Abbosjon Azamov is a 24-year-old visionary innovator from South Korea. His idea is a system that integrates rainwater harvesting and solar power generation, storing both resources in an eco-friendly manner. Understanding the hardships of communities lacking electricity and clean water, Abbosjon aims to provide a sustainable solution that significantly impacts people and the planet.

And these are just three of 500 inspiring eco-initiatives, giving hope to us all as we collectively build a more sustainable future.

"As beVisioneers grows globally, we are increasingly better positioned to find and develop localized solutions to the world's most pressing environmental issues. This expansion allows us to support a broader spectrum of young innovators whose unique perspectives and ideas are essential in our collective effort to create a sustainable future” - Mariah Levin, Executive Director.

Applications for Cohort 3 will open later this year, where more countries will be added as the fellowship aims to expand their global reach to 1,000 fellows. For more information, please visit: https://bevisioneers.world/fellowship/

IEA News

Over the passing of time, there are certain enduring places which have remained the luminous stages for some of the most brilliant and remarkable pieces of craftmanship. 

Like an actor stepping onto the stage, or a painter encountering their muse, the convergence of Montale and Harrods unfolds.

And why did these two entities intertwine? With this rendezvous, the love story cannot remain a secret... Montale and Harrods, two esteemed establishments, converged around the purest aspiration: making timeless beauty available for all. All things, for all people, everywhere. 

In 1849, Harrods began its journey as a tea and spice merchant, likely amidst the opulent perfumery traditions of Montale’s ancestors, in markets fragrant with Jasmine and Saffron from distant lands. 

Witness the harmonious synergy between these two brands, engaged in an eternal dialogue between yesteryears and today, cherishing heritage while embracing innovative flair. Just recently, the Montale house celebrated its twentieth anniversary under the attentive gaze of Harrods, a 175-year-old bastion of luxury in the year 2024. 

As Harrods stands as a timeless symbol in an ever-evolving world, proudly presiding over Knightsbridge, Montale continues to lead the way in perfumery, embarking on an aromatic journey deeply rooted in tradition yet ever forward-looking.

Therefore, in the past two years, Pierre Montale’s transcendent. Middle Eastern Oud has graced Harrods luxurious corridors and halls with its enchanting aura. The success of this partnership has led to new initiatives.

After the exclusive launch of Oud Island last summer at Harrods, we have decided to strengthen our dedication and create a distinctive fragrance to commemorate this union.
Gourmand x Spicy.

Get ready for an explosion at the peak of allure, guided by pheromones, spices, and subtle sweetness. A versatile fragrance perfect for a romantic night at the opera or
a refreshing morning at the office.

We aimed to capture an essence, an olfactory dress code, exuding elegance, satisfaction, and enigmatic allure. As you immerse yourself in this fragrance, Amber leads each step like a luminous guide, enveloping you in warmth reminiscent of 12,000 lights adorning the London night sky.

Amid corridors infused with the rich scents of Caramel and Tonka Bean, a sudden infusion of enchanting Roses seduces you, inviting you into an atmosphere of seduction. This journey culminates in a delicate fusion of Saffron and Leather, where the stories of travellers and Spice merchants intertwine, creating a rich tapestry of experiences.

For Harrods 175th anniversary, the house of Montale proudly presents «Rendez-vous chez Harrods», a fragrance inviting you on a time traveling journey both into the future and the past.

A total of 451 civilians, including children, have been killed by police from 2007 through the first half of 2024, according to a report by the Baran Tursun Foundation, the Stockholm Center for Freedom reported.

The report highlights that half of the victims were children and young people, with 223 individuals aged 0-25 killed by police gunfire, police vehicle collisions or tear gas.

The province of Şırnak recorded the highest number of deaths, with 68 fatalities. İstanbul saw 54 deaths, Diyarbakır had 34, Mardin reported 21 and İzmir recorded 19.

The data also shows that of the 451 individuals killed, 290 were in provinces with significant Kurdish populations. Similarly, among the 98 children killed, 90 were from such provinces.

“Many of these deaths occurred while people were walking on the street, going to school or the market, sitting in parks, sleeping in their beds or being held by their mothers,” said Mehmet Tursun, president of the Baran Tursun Foundation.

Tursun emphasized that numerous people were shot for violating minor laws or not complying with police orders.

Tursun attributed the increase in deaths to a policy of impunity.

“In police academies, acquittals and decisions that result in no punishment are presented as part of their training. Graduating officers who see these rulings believe they can kill without facing consequences,” Tursun said.

Human rights groups routinely accuse the Turkish judiciary of affording impunity to law enforcement officers accused of involvement in incidents of disproportionate use of force, misconduct, mistreatment and torture, sometimes despite substantial evidence.

Many say there is no longer a separation of powers in the country and that members of the judiciary are under the control of the government and cannot make judgments based on the law.

Turkey was ranked 117th among 142 countries in the rule of law index published by the World Justice Project (WJP) in October, dropping one rank in comparison to the previous year.

Tursun also pointed to the Internal Security Law, passed by parliament on March 27, 2015, which expanded police powers. Tursun noted that this law codified subjective concepts like “foreseeable suspicion” and discretionary authority, forming the basis for impunity.

“A police officer may use deadly force if they foresee a threat, such as suspecting a person with their hand in their pocket might have a bomb. When these officers are taken to court, they justify their actions by claiming it was their ‘foreseeable suspicion.’ This results in no penalties for the officers involved,” Tursun said. Turkish Minute