GUARDIANS OF THE FUTURE

The 2021 Rolex Awards for Enterprise recognizes five pioneers who are tackling some of the world’s most intractable challenges with their bold, visionary projects that have the potential to help reinvent the future. Clockwise from top left: Luiz Rocha works to explore and protect mesophotic coral reefs and their biodiversity in the Indian Ocean, and to strengthen conservation of these large unknown ecosystems; Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim uses indigenous peoples’ traditional knowledge to map natural resources and prevent climate conflicts in the Sahel; Felix Brooks-church in Tanzania with a flour-fortifying dosifier machine; Gina Moseley aims to lead the first expedition to explore the planet’s northernmost caves to improve our knowledge of climate change in the Arctic; Rinzin Phunjok Lama works to protect the richly diverse ecosystems of the Trans Himalayan region, home of iconic and globally threatened mammals, by involving local communities.

First established in 1976 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Rolex Oyster (the world’s first waterproof wristwatch), the prestigious Rolex Awards for Enterprise recognize pioneers working on projects that expand our knowledge of the world, protect the environment, and improve human well-being. Although initially intended to be a once-off celebration, the initiative drew so much international interest that Rolex transformed it into an ongoing program that has since supported 155 laureates whose endeavors have made a significant contribution worldwide to improving life and protecting our planet. Today it serves as one of the three pillars of Rolex’s Perpetual Planet initiative, which also embraces an enhanced partnership with the National Geographic Society as well as support of legendary oceanographer Sylvia Earle’s Mission Blue, a nonprofit that helps to establish protected marine areas named “Hope Spots” around the globe. The Rolex Awards are unique in several ways. Unlike most other award and grant programs, they are not designed to recognize past achievements — they are given for new or ongoing projects. To win requires an original, visionary project that can benefit humanity and/or the planet, along with the skills and determination to implement it. The Awards are given to projects focusing on the environment, science and health, applied technology, cultural heritage, and exploration, though those that do not strictly fit these particular disciplines have also won Rolex Awards. Candidates must be aged 18 or over, and there are no academic or professional requirements, nor any restrictions on gender or nationality — anyone, anywhere, can apply for a Rolex Award. This has allowed many people without access to traditional funding sources to acquire funds and other benefits such as worldwide publicity, which often engenders further support. Applications are judged by an independent, interdisciplinary jury of experts who in the past have included Sir Edmund Hillary, astronaut Chris Hadfield, and global environment advocate Yolanda Kakabadse. Five laureates are chosen in each biennial edition of the Awards based on their originality and the impact they have on the world at large, as well as on their spirit of enterprise. Each of the five receives funding to implement their project and becomes a member of the network of Rolex Laureates, many of whom collaborate. This year’s winners, announced in June, are Felix Brooks-church, Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, Rinzin Phunjok Lama, Gina Moseley, and Luiz Rocha, who hail from around the globe and work in fields ranging from marine science to polar exploration. Bold and visionary, their projects have the potential to help reinvent the future.