About Carebridge

CareBridge Background

CareBridge evolved from two charrettes: Sustainable Settlements: Rethinking Encampments for Refugees and Displaced Populations (February 2002) and Information Technologies in Sustainable Development (August 2001). Over 70 sustainability, relief and technology experts participated, including representatives from:

• United Nations High Commission for Refugees
• United Nations World Food Programme
• British and United States Navies
• United States Departments of State and Defense
• United States National Renewable Energy Laboratory
• Rocky Mountain Institute
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Media Lab
• Univ. of California, Berkeley - Urban Planning School of Public Health
• Univ. of California, Santa Barbara - Environmental Studies Program
• Univ. of California, Santa Cruz - Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems
• Refugees International
• Refugee Women in Development
• Sun Microsystems
• The Sustainable Village

The CareBridge Approach to Development

The twin goals of CareBridge are to help displaced populations live better, healthier lives, and to do so in environmentally, socially and economically sustainable ways. The approach focuses on developing skills and adapting technologies that not only improve life in camp settings, but prepare people to develop sustainable communities upon resettlement.

The CareBridge approach:

• Uses whole-systems design and community-based development.
• Capitalizes on the resource efficiencies inherent in holistic design.
• Brings together the expertise of relief workers, members of displaced communities, technology specialists and academic researchers.
• Utilizes the most effective, appropriate and affordable technologies and methodologies.

CareBridge Initiatives in Development

• A US-based pilot project to test and develop technologies and holistic design.
• Collaboration with non-governmental organizations on projects in new and existing settlements.
• The design and implementation of advanced information technologies to connect displaced populations with resources and experts from the global community.
• An instructional package - for development organizations and government grant-makers - on the effectiveness and application of whole-systems, community-based development for displaced populations.

For More Information

• Projects by CareBridge Members
• Biographies of CareBridge Members
• Organizations Represented by CareBridge Members
• Charrette Report: Information Technologies in Sustainable Development (August 2001)
• Charrette Report: Sustainable Settlements – Rethinking Encampments for Refugees and Displaced Populations (February 2002)