News 19.10.2021

Need to Know

Panama’s tourism push empowers local residents, cyber-activism takes aim at unsolicited nudes and employees still struggle to open up about mental health.

Panama invests in community-centric tourism

Panama's Live for More by Visit Panama campaign tactfully harnesses the economic value of tourism to empower 10 Indigenous or Afro-Panamanian communities with an emphasis on heritage preservation and residents' needs.

Panama – In a bid to recover its travel industry, the Central American country is investing in a sustainable tourism plan that it hopes will rebuild its visitor economy by 2025. To do this, newly launched local marketing agency PROMTUR, together with the government-backed Panamanian Alliance for Community Tourism, is placing Panamian communities at the heart of the country’s growth.

Part of the initiative involves sensitively positioning 10 Indigenous or Afro-Panamanian communities as tourism destinations as a way to preserve their heritage and put the spotlight on local residents. ‘We know there’s an opportunity to attract this demand, to bring in dollars to the country, but at the same time preserving our nature and our culture with involvement of local communities and helping to improve the lives and wellbeing of communities,’ says Iván Eskildsen, tourism minister for Panama.

By prioritising its residents through this strategy, Panama sets an example to international tourism boards on how to balance external consumer interest with internal development.

Strategic Opportunity

When designing tourism plans, create opportunities for visitors to connect with local businesses in a way that benefits residents and keeps money in the economy

The graphic campaign putting an end to ‘cyberflashing’

#STOPCYBERFLASHING by Grey London for Brook in collaboration with Genie Espinosa, UK #STOPCYBERFLASHING by Grey London for Brook in collaboration with Genie Espinosa, UK
#STOPCYBERFLASHING by Grey London for Brook in collaboration with Genie Espinosa, UK #STOPCYBERFLASHING by Grey London for Brook in collaboration with Genie Espinosa, UK

UK – The Stop Cyberflashing campaign by health charity Brook and illustrator Genie Espinosa challenges the British government’s lack of response to the rise of unsolicited nudes sent online. With a tagline that reads, ‘It’s illegal to flash someone IRL, so why not online?’, the campaign is aiming to criminalise the act of ‘cyberflashing’.

The campaign was created in response to research by YouGov that found that four in 10 young British women have been sent a photograph of a penis that they did not request, with 46% saying they were under 18 when it first happened. Senders currently face few or no repercussions.

Brook asked illustrator and comic book author Genie Espinosa to design the campaign, using the innocence of childhood to illustrate darker messages. Motivated by government inaction, the campaign uses bright colours and youthful aesthetics to speak directly to those affected by cyberflashing, galvanising younger generations to act by scanning a QR code that conveniently allows them to message their MP. This form of Graphic Activism is becoming a key way for young people to raise awareness about political issues and demand change through design.

Strategic Opportunity

Speak to younger generations in their own language by adopting the aesthetics of Graphic Activism when taking a political stance, joining young people in their attempts to challenge legislation

Google cracks down on climate change misinformation

Global – The technology giant is stepping up to tackle the spread of false information surrounding the climate crisis. Working with external experts, the company has announced an update to its monetisation process for Google advertisers, publishers and YouTube content creators – meaning that it will no longer be possible to promote inaccurate claims about climate change.

Speaking about the decision, which was led by its ad team, Google says it will prohibit advertising that contradicts well-established scientific consensus around the existence and causes of climate change. Here, the company is taking a post-purpose approach which takes action beyond greenwashing efforts.

Meanwhile, as a powerful source for global information, Google recognises its responsibility as a platform to facilitate accurate news on societal issues. To discover more about the ways in which global media outlets are playing a role in positive environmental solutions, read our Climate Newsrooms microtrend.

The WiLD Network by Guy Mills, London, designed to mitigate the negative ecological impact of data storage and transmission

Strategic Opportunity

Social media platforms, and even e-commerce sites, should take note of this update and follow suit. Consider how your services can actively play a role in educating people on the complexities of climate change

Stat: Mental health is still taboo in the workplace

PHYD and Il Prisma, Italy PHYD and Il Prisma, Italy

Mental wellbeing in the workplace is still a contested issue for many employees, with new research finding that nearly half (47%) of UK employees feel uncomfortable discussing mental health at work. This has led to a 16% increase in workers taking time off due to psychological reasons in 2021, compared with 2020.

According to research by MHR, a company that provides HR expertise and software, staff members are concerned that speaking openly about mental health could jeopardise their career advancement. Although a 26% increase in mental health training across organisations may have emboldened more employees to request wellbeing leave, stigma remains a barrier for many people.

The pandemic has brought questions about mental health into public view, with health and wellness becoming an international priority in the workplace. Companies looking to introduce new initiatives and wellness benefits will have to consider the new set of challenges affecting the workplace today. To learn more about how behavioural science can boost business, consult this article by Rupinder Mann, founder of UnNamed Ventures.

Strategic Opportunity

Wellbeing is reshaping the workplace. Institutions should consider implementing alternative wellness strategies, such as enlisting the help of a mental health consultant or experimenting with flexi-hours, to retain positive company culture

Previous News Articles
James Turrell brings light and space to Saudi Arabia’s Wadi AlFann

News

James Turrell brings light and space to Saudi Arabia’s Wadi AlFann

Saudi Arabia’s Wadi AlFann (Valley of the Arts) is holding a landmark exhibition celebrating James Turrell’s mastery of light and perception as par...
Design : Travel & Hospitality : Architecture
Adidas Originals unveils premium line A-Type

News

Adidas Originals unveils premium line A-Type

Adidas Originals has introduced A-Type, an evolving collection that re-imagines the brand’s most iconic designs with premium craftsmanship.
Luxury : Sports & Leisure : Fashion
Stat: Europeans prioritise wellness over sustainability in food choices

News

Stat: Europeans prioritise wellness over sustainability in food choices

A new survey from the EIT Food Consumer Observatory reveals a declining focus on sustainability in European diets, with only 9% of respondents prio...
Sustainability : Food & Drink : Society
Aesop’s new Hainan store uses algae to elevate the luxury retail experience

News

Aesop’s new Hainan store uses algae to elevate the luxury retail experience

Luxury cosmetic brand Aesop’s latest store, in Hainan, is pushing the boundaries of sustainable design, using algae to create an immersive, ocean-i...
Retail : Beauty : Design
Conceivable Life Sciences is transforming IVF with robotics and AI

News

Conceivable Life Sciences is transforming IVF with robotics and AI

Conceivable Life Sciences – the biotech company using AI to revolutionise IVF – has secured £14.3m ($18m, €17.2m) in funding led by Artis Ventures,...
Technology : Health & Wellness : Society
Stat: Fragrance becomes the second-largest luxury beauty category in 2024

News

Stat: Fragrance becomes the second-largest luxury beauty category in 2024

Fragrance took centre stage in beauty retail in 2024, emerging as the second-largest category in prestige beauty behind make-up, according to year-...
Beauty : Luxury : Retail
LS:N Global Just Got Smarter

News

LS:N Global Just Got Smarter

Meet our new AI tool, Ember.
The Future Laboratory
Opera Air turns browsing into a mindful experience

News

Opera Air turns browsing into a mindful experience

Norwegian software company Opera is reimagining web browsing with the launch of Opera Air, a first-of-its-kind browser designed around mindfulness.
Health & Wellness : Technology : Pop-culture & Media
Foresight Friday: Dan Hastings, deputy foresight editor

News

Foresight Friday: Dan Hastings, deputy foresight editor

Every Friday, we wrap up the topics, issues, ideas and viral moments everyone’s been discussing. This week, deputy foresight editor Dan Hastings de...
Society : Pop-culture & Media : Technology
Stat: Consumers admit to choosing inaction on climate change due to eco-guilt

News

Stat: Consumers admit to choosing inaction on climate change due to eco-guilt

More than a quarter of people (28%) in 31 countries fall into the category of ‘anxious inactives’, according to the latest GlobeScan Healthy & ...
Society : Sustainability : Retail
You have 2 free News articles remaining. Sign up to LS:N Global to get unlimited access to all articles.
BECOME A MEMBER
SIGN IN