Pecha Kucha for Haiti

PRESS RELEASE

24-hour global PechaKucha event to support Architecture for Humanity rebuilding in Haiti

Jan. 28, 2010, Tokyo – In a matter of seconds, thousands of lives and dreams were destroyed in Haiti.

Following the tragedy, aid came from many quarters, in all shapes and forms. The global PechaKucha family is coming together with Architecture for Humanity to lend a hand in rebuilding Haiti and establish long-term solutions. Please help us spread the word about our global event in February: 200 cities, 2,000 presentations, 200,000 people.

PechaKucha Global Day for Haiti

On Feb. 20, the 276 cities that host PechaKucha events worldwide will converge to present one continuous 24-hour edition of PechaKucha Night. Kicking off at SuperDeluxe in Tokyo, where PechaKucha Night was first conceived seven years ago, the presentation wave will travel eastward, with cities presenting one after the other. Crossing all times zones and cultures, the event will be streamed live online and then finish in Tokyo the following day.

Already presentations are being prepared – some intended to offer hope and encouragement through stories of past disaster relief projects; others as simple inspiration by showing the power of creative thinking.

All of the 2,000 presentations generated from the one-day event – in what could be the world’s biggest single-day globally distributed conference – will be posted on the PechaKucha website, where visitors will also be able to make monetary donations to the project.

All proceeds will go to Architecture for Humanity for rebuilding Haiti. AFH operates globally, and was instrumental in getting projects built after the Indian Ocean tsunami and Hurricaine Katrina. The design costs for the new buildings in Haiti have been already covered so all donations will go directly toward the construction of much needed schools, health clinics and community structures.

In organizing this event PechaKucha intends to not only raise funds through pledges from host cities and contributions from individuals but also illustrate the power of innovative minds, creative passion and, most of all, sharing ideas for change and sustainability.

PechaKucha for Haiti launch in Tokyo / Davos with Klein Dytham architecture and Architecture for Humanity.

http://www.pecha-kucha.org/presentations/50

PechaKucha – The story so far.

http://www.pecha-kucha.org/presentations/51

PECHAKUCHA
http://pecha-kucha.org
PechaKucha Night was conceived in Tokyo in February 2003 by architects Mark Dytham and Astrid Klein of Klein Dytham architecture (http://klein-dytham.com) as an event where young designers could meet, network and show their work in public. Over time, it has evolved into a massive celebration of creativity, with events regularly being held in over 270 cities. Last year, more than 6,000 presentations will given at +600 PechaKucha events.

Drawing its name from the Japanese phrase for the sound of conversation (“chit chat”), the PechaKucha format is simple – 20 images x 20 seconds – and designed to keep presentations concise and moving at a rapid pace.

ARCHITECTURE FOR HUMANITY
http://architectureforhumanity.org
A volunteer non-profit organization dedicated to building a more sustainable future through the power of professional design. Founded in 1999, this design services firm channels the resources of the global funding community to meaningful projects that make a difference locally.

Media Enquires
info@pecha-kucha.org
Tomoko Kagawa
81 (0)3 5795 2277