Presented during the event’s opening ceremony, the award was one of seven leadership honours recognising people contributing to urban transformation and collaboration around the world.
Tomorrow.City Shanghai is the Asia-Pacific edition of the Smart City Expo World Congress. It brings together representatives from cities, governments, businesses and community organisations to explore how innovation can create more sustainable, connected and liveable communities.
While technology is an important part of that conversation, the event also highlighted the need to keep people at the heart of change. This closely reflects the way The Kind Foundation works.
Across our programmes, facilities and social enterprises, we create opportunities for people to participate, connect and thrive. Our work is grounded in the belief that meaningful, lasting change happens when businesses, government and the not-for-profit sector work together, guided by the needs of people and communities.
Although the award was presented to Josie, she says it reflects the collective contribution of everyone connected with the Foundation.
“It’s humbling to have our work noticed on the other side of the world. It is recognition for our whole team and for everyone at home who thinks about the bigger picture of how business, government and the NGO sectors can work collaboratively to create better outcomes for all,” Josie said.
The recognition belongs to the staff, volunteers, funders, supporters, partners and participants who bring The Kind Foundation’s work to life every day.
Receiving the award in an international smart-city setting reinforces an important message: the future of thriving cities depends not only on technology and infrastructure, but also on investing in people, strengthening relationships and creating communities where everyone has the opportunity to belong.
For The Kind Foundation, the award is an encouraging acknowledgement that a people-centred approach developed here in Ōtautahi Christchurch can resonate far beyond our own part of the world.