The WSA International Jury in Hong Kong selected three projects from NZ for the final lineup. The winners in the World Summit Awards will have the opportunity to attend the Awards Celebration in Cairo, Egypt later in the year where they will receive their award and participate & present their projects in a three day get together for 'Global Creatives.'
InternetNZ has backed the New Zealand arm of these awards since its inception. Says InternetNZ Chief Executive Vikram Kumar, "An open Internet is critical for New Zealand's social and economic future. The breadth and impact of the innovation the Internet has sparked off is truly great. Year after year the WSA uncovers online content and services that surprise and delight us. They represent the best of New Zealand on the world stage."
e-Business & Commerce: Areoscan
Areoscan is a web based service that enables the user to create a 3D model of any area or object using digital photographs. In industries such as surveying, architecture, and design; Areoscan is proving a cost effective, flexible and time efficient solution for all sorts of jobs, ranging from complex land surveys, through to creative art projects. Whatever the need, Areoscan takes a real-life subject and automatically generates a 3D model in the same way a 3D laser scanner does, but without the need for specialized equipment.
View the website areoscan.com
e-Culture & Heritage: Vaeggen Interactive Wall in Copenhagen
Vaeggen (The WALL) is a massive but mobile interactive video installation on the streets of Copenhagen that allows citizens and visitors to explore in depth the cultural past, present, and future of the city and its diverse populations.
Based initially on the rich heritage collections of the Museum of Copenhagen, the WALL is also the public multimedia repository for cultural assets emerging from the large-scale archaeological excavations being undertaken in the old city centre for the next 7 years. Created by Gibson Group.
View the website vaeggen.copenhagen.dk/en
e-Health & Environment: SPARX
SPARX is a computerized self-help programme, to help young people combat depression. It was developed by a team of therapists, researchers, game developers, e-learning theorists and young people. It takes the form of an animated 3D game where users learn real-life skills by solving challenges to rid a fantasy world from gloom and negativity. Culturally-relevant elements have been incorporated into the game world to ensure the programme has wide cultural acceptability. University of Auckland, NZ Ministry of Health, Metia Interactive Ltd
View the website sparx.org.nz
The World Summit Awards honour excellence in multimedia and e-Content creation. Forty winners (5 in each category) are selected from 100 countries. A special emphasis is placed on those projects which show the benefits of information and communication technology for the development of society at large. Over and above the judging criteria the judges look for the 'value add' to NZ - what are the products & services that can we put on the global stage to increase both NZ visibility & create international sales. This is a great showcase for the innovative & clever thinking that is going on in NZ.
WSA is generously hosted by Actrix Networks, the Wellington based Internet Service provider. Stephen Duder of Actrix Networks says "WSA is an important global initiative providing exemplary examples of diverse digital content fit for the world stage - we see WSA as a natural ally & partner for broadband."
The New Zealand judging panel included:
For further info World Summit Award or contact Jan Bieringa info@wsa-awards.org.nz or by phone at 04 385 9435
