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World’s first computer-themed playground to open in Helsinki – children learn about technology through play

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HELSINKI, Sept. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — What is thought to be the world’s first computer-themed playground will be inaugurated on 1 October 2024 in the Ruoholahti district of Helsinki. The playground is designed by children’s author Linda Liukas together with the landscape architecture office Näkymä Oy. In the new playground, children can get to know the world of computers and programming through play, and without digital devices. Helsinki is investing in the wellbeing of children, and the city was recently recognised by UNICEF as a Child Friendly City.

“It’s exciting to design a playground for children, for whom play often means a computer game instead of a sandbox. The new playground offers something new for this generation. In the digital world, children are users, but in the playground, they are creators. I hope that Ruoholahti Playground will become an attractive place for children of many ages, where they can also learn about technology while playing,” says Linda Liukas, the head designer of the playground. Linda Liukas is known for her Hello Ruby story books, which teach coding to children.

The new bespoke playground equipment includes, for example, a computer tower, keyboard stairs and a sandbox in the shape of a game console controller. In the playground, children can create their own TikTok dances or learn to write their name using binary numbers – without phones. Educational material for visiting groups has been created for the playground that combines colouring pictures, tasks, technology games and audio contents. The material can be downloaded free of charge from the playground’s website. The playground’s unique equipment has been made by award-winning Danish playground equipment manufacturer Monstrum.

Designer Linda Liukas is happy for the new playground. Photo: Leena Karppinen, Helsinki Partners

Wishes of users taken into account in the design of the playground

The new playground has been designed in close collaboration with pedagogical experts. Users of the playground in the neighbourhood, local children, and educators were also consulted.

For the playground’s lighting, special attention was paid to the changing seasons, as Helsinki’s playgrounds are heavily used even in the dark winter and rainy autumn. In Finland, playgrounds are used in all weathers and all year round. The green areas in the new playground include a diversity and pollinator-themed educational planting area with information boards.

Computer-theme suites especially well to Ruoholahti, as it is home to many international ICT companies. Photo: Sakari Röyskö, City of Helsinki

Recognised by UNICEF as a Child Friendly City, Helsinki Celebrates 110 Years of Playgrounds

Helsinki is the first Nordic capital to be recognised by UNICEF as a Child Friendly City. The recognition is awarded to cities whose activities and development work promote the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

“As recently outlined in our new architecture programme, we are committed to recognising the important role of architecture and landscape design in creating good urban life. Fostering child-friendly design is a key part of this work, and the Ruoholahti playground is a great example of what can be done,” says Chief Design Officer Hanna Harris.

The history of playgrounds in Helsinki stretches back 110 years. The decision to locate the new computer-themed playground in Ruoholahti was made because the area is home to many international ICT companies and an old Nokia factory that today functions as a cultural centre. In this way, children get to know the world that surrounds them in a new way.

When selecting the location of future theme playgrounds, the character of the neighbourhood is taken into account along with convenient public transport connections. Helsinki’s playgrounds offer a variety of activities, from family activities in the morning to club activities for school children in the afternoon, as well as free meals offered to everyone under the age of 16 in summertime. Helsinki’s playgrounds are open to everyone, and both locals and visitors, children and adults, are welcome to play there.

More information: 
Leena Karppinen 
Senior Manager, PR & Communications 
Helsinki Partners 
leena.karppinen@helsinkipartners.com 

Linda Liukas

Linda Liukas is an author, illustrator and educator from Helsinki, Finland. With her Hello Ruby children’s picture book series and philosophy, she brings a Nordic playful perspective to the sometimes serious world of computer science. Translated into nearly 40 languages, Hello Ruby books ask: what else is there to technology education than “Learn to code”? If computer code is the Lego block of our time – a tool of creation – how do we teach curiosity, joy, and wonder to our kids? http://lindaliukas.com/

Playgrounds

Helsinki has a city-wide network of around 60 year-round playgrounds that offer a wide range of services to residents of different ages in their local neighbourhoods. Playgrounds that are open to all, free of charge and professionally managed are, to this extent, a uniquely Helsinki phenomenon, the result of 110 years of ambitious development work. Read more: https://www.hel.fi/en/childhood-and-education/playgrounds-and-family-houses

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com.

https://news.cision.com/helsinki-partners/r/world-s-first-computer-themed-playground-to-open-in-helsinki—children-learn-about-technology-throu,c4044802

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CHINT Shines on Forbes Global Brand Top 30

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SHANGHAI, Nov. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The “2024 Forbes China Go-International Brands Top 30” results have been officially announced. CHINT has earned a spot on the prestigious list and is recognized for its outstanding performance and significant contributions on the global stage. This honor highlights CHINT’s high recognition in international markets and marks a solid step forward in advancing Chinese brands globally.

After more than two decades of overseas development, CHINT Group has steadily expanded its business to over 140 countries and regions worldwide, covering key industries such as low-voltage electrical appliances, smart electrical equipment, instrumentation, and green energy. CHINT Global’s globalization strategy is reflected not only in its extensive business layout but also in the localization of talent and R&D.

Globally, CHINT employs over 50,000 people across five business regions and more than 40 subsidiaries, with a local talent rate exceeding 66%. The company has established 20 research institutes worldwide, focusing on the customized development of localized products, investing 3%-12% of its annual sales revenue in R&D, accumulating over 8,000 authorized patents, and participating in the formulation of industry and international standards more than 400 times.

Regarding localized manufacturing, CHINT Group has 28 manufacturing bases globally, including eight overseas, with product lines covering the full range of products. Regarding localized delivery, local logistics centers have been established in all five business continents, increasing international project coverage by over 50% and shortening the average delivery cycle by more than 60 days.

The Forbes Brand Going Global award for CHINT means a high recognition of its efforts in implementing globalization strategies, promoting localized operations, and driving innovative development. This honor is not only an affirmation of the past but also an inspiration for the future. CHINT Global will continue to forge ahead, striving to become a global leader in the full industry chain of smart electrical energy solutions, and will continue to contribute to the development of the global energy and electricity industry.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2565329/image_5019413_32599362.jpg

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KBR’s Market-Leading Ammonia Technology Selected by AMUFERT, Angola

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HOUSTON, Nov. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — KBR (NYSE: KBR) announced today that it has signed an agreement with AMUFERT for the development of a new ammonia plant in Soyo, Angola.

Under the terms of the contract, KBR will provide a technology license, proprietary engineering design, equipment and catalyst solutions for AMUFERT’s 2,300 metric tons per day ammonia plant. Leveraging KBR’s proprietary technologies and expertise in ammonia, the planned facility will assist Angola and its neighboring countries move towards greater food security and self-sufficiency.

“We are thrilled to be a part of this project and support AMUFERT’s efforts in accelerating sustainable agriculture in Angola through our leading ammonia technology,” said Jay Ibrahim, KBR President, Sustainable Technology Solutions. “KBR has a proud legacy in Angola, and we look forward to working closely with AMUFERT and our partners to ensure the success of this important project.”

KBR is a world leader in ammonia technology and has been at the forefront of innovation in the ammonia market for decades. Since 1943, KBR has licensed, engineered or constructed over 260 grassroot ammonia plants worldwide.

About KBR

We deliver science, technology and engineering solutions to governments and companies around the world. KBR employs approximately 37,000 people worldwide with customers in more than 80 countries and operations in over 30 countries.

KBR is proud to work with its customers across the globe to provide technology, value-added services, and long-term operations and maintenance services to ensure consistent delivery with predictable results. At KBR, We Deliver.

Visit www.kbr.com

Forward Looking Statements

The statements in this press release that are not historical statements, including statements regarding future project performance, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These statements are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and assumptions, many of which are beyond the company’s control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by the statements. These risks, uncertainties and assumptions include, but are not limited to, those set forth in the company’s most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, any subsequent Form 10-Qs and 8-Ks and other U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings, which discuss some of the important risks, uncertainties and assumptions that the company has identified that may affect its business, results of operations and financial condition. Due to such risks, uncertainties and assumptions, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Except as required by law, the company undertakes no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason.

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SOURCE KBR, Inc.

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At Its European Innovation Day 2024, Huawei Advocates Collaboration to Unlock Europe’s Potential

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PARIS, Nov. 22, 2024 /CNW/ — Huawei hosted the 2024 “Europe Innovation Day” in Paris, an event where European tech leaders, business representatives, and innovation experts explored opportunities for cross-border and cross-industry collaboration. Under this year’s theme of “Unleashing the Potential of European Innovation,” the event addressed critical challenges in Europe’s digital transformation, offering strategies to strengthen regional ecosystems and enhance global competitiveness.

Driving Europe’s Digital Progress through Cooperation

Jesus Contreras, Chief Operations and Financial Officer of EIT Digital, stated: “Innovation is never a solo endeavor; it relies on collaboration and exchange among all parties.” He emphasized that digital innovation flourishes when global partners and customers with diverse perspectives unite, bringing energy and momentum to collaborative efforts.

Nicola Caputo, Regional Minister of Campania (Italy) and Member of the European Committee of the Regions, highlighted the challenges Europe faces in its digital transformation, such as insufficient digital literacy, lagging commercial adoption, and uneven 5G coverage. He called for governments to strengthen cross-border cooperation to boost Europe’s global competitiveness in the digital economy.

Ximo Puig, Spain’s Permanent Representative to the OECD, stated: “Innovation is essentially a framework. Governments, businesses, and society must leverage this framework to collectively foster long-term development and build a fully connected world.”

Laurent Lafforgue, a renowned mathematician at Huawei Technologies France, said: “The rapid advancement of technological innovation relies on solid foundational theories. Robust theoretical research is essential to achieving sustainable and long-term technological progress.”

Huawei’s Commitment to Long-Term Investment

 “Innovation is a long-term process,” remarked Yu Liang, Vice President of Huawei Cloud Global Ecosystem. He affirmed Huawei’s dedication to fostering open collaboration that drives both societal and commercial value. Yu further announced Huawei’s partnership with Station F to launch a sustainability-focused incubation program, aiming to support 10 startups in sectors like retail, automotive, and industrial manufacturing, enabling them to achieve rapid growth within a seven-month incubation period.

Advancing Digital Transformation and Building Europe’s Future

At the “Driving Digital Transformation for Europe’s Emerging Innovators” forum, co-hosted by Euronews and Huawei, participants underscored the necessity of cross-sector collaboration and open ecosystems. Key speakers included Horst Heitz, Chair of SME Connect Steering Committee; Ana Paula Nishio de Sousa, Director of Digital Transformation & AI at the UN Industrial Development Organization; Alexander Pisemskiy, CEO of Zenpulsar; and Gaurav Tripathi, CTO of Partex NV. They emphasized the need for open data-sharing platforms and collaborative ecosystems to cultivate a more inclusive and adaptable innovation environment.

Huawei Cloud will continue to invest in Europe by delivering stable and reliable cloud infrastructure, working with government agencies and universities to cultivate digital talent, and supporting startups to scale across regions,” said Zhu Xiaoming, Vice President of Huawei Cloud Global Industry Development. He noted that Europe’s digital transformation is advancing slower than the targets outlined in the Europe Digital Decade 2030 plan, particularly in areas such as data and artificial intelligence.

Promoting Inclusivity and Women Innovators

Berta Herrero, Head of Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion at Huawei Europe, moderated a panel discussion on empowering women innovators. Panelists included Rebeca de Sancho Mayoral, Senior Adviser on EU Innovation & Access to Finance at the European Commission; Egle Ciuoderiene, Founder of Duevo; Iva Tasheva, Co-Founder and Cybersecurity Lead at CyEn; and Gaia Verzelli, an alumna of Huawei’s Women Leadership School. They shared insights into EU funding and policy initiatives designed to support women entrepreneurs and called for greater female participation in the tech innovation ecosystem to foster an inclusive and diverse environment.

A Call to Action

Closing the event, Tony Yong Jin, Director of Business Environment Affairs of the European Region at Huawei, called on all parties to take decisive action to drive digital innovation and build a more connected, inclusive, and sustainable Europe. He stated, “Today, I call on all of us to embrace digital innovation—not just because of its promises, but because of its profound impact on every individual, family, and community.”

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/at-its-european-innovation-day-2024-huawei-advocates-collaboration-to-unlock-europes-potential-302314116.html

SOURCE Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd

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