We are proud to announce that One Young World Ambassador Mariann Avila of Mexico has been featured as part of Lenovo’s latest campaign, New Realities, after working in collaboration with the team to identify impactful stories to tell.
New Realities features immersive, first-person cinematic experiences that help give a voice to difference-making women in 10 markets around the world during a time of global upheaval in the COVID-19 pandemic and ahead of International Day of the Girl (celebrated on Sunday, October 11). The project comes off the heels of new research conducted by Lenovo that reveals technology has made people more empathetic toward different viewpoints in their communities.
Captured over the last four months using 360-degree storytelling, New Realities chronicles the individual journeys of a courageous, diverse group of 10 young women using technology to achieve their dreams, such as supporting a social cause, creating thought-provoking art/music or providing a desperately needed service in their community. The films help give each woman their own voice and shine a light on the role smart technology plays in furthering their missions to drive empathy and a positive change in society. The films’ changemakers hail from Brazil, China, France, Germany India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the UK and the US.
In addition to the films’ chronicling the women’s missions, Lenovo – in partnership with Girl Up – is funding $100,000 in grants for young women to pursue fields of study that align with their goals. The young women have received mentorship through a newly created Global Ambassadors Program – featuring mentors hand-selected by Ava DuVernay’s team at ARRAY and access to resources from Lenovo, ARRAY, and Girl Up. Each of the women has also received Lenovo and Motorola technology to support their mission.
About Mariann
Mariann was just 15 years old when she set up her own NGO, School on the Road, and is passionate about the transformative power of education. Her life’s mission is to make education available to all, particularly young girls from underprivileged backgrounds. Using technology, she is focused on bringing STEM education to small towns and villages outside of Monterrey, one of the most violent areas of Mexico, and through her NGO has reached and supported countless young girls across Mexico.