The collaboration includes the first “Heroic Innovators Challenge” in the Asia Pacific region, where Disney will co-create the curriculum and provide speakers to inspire students to explore future careers in Storytelling.
The Walt Disney Company* is collaborating with global, non-profit organization, Destination Imagination, to expand opportunities in the Asia Pacific region for underrepresented students including young women and girls, to explore future careers as Storytellers and Innovators in Asia’s creative industries.
In a first for the region, Destination Imagination will be rolling out the “Heroic Innovators Challenge”, giving students across Asia Pacific access to online resources in which they can gain foundational skills in Science, Technology and Storytelling.
After completing an online program on Destination Imagination’s STEM Learning Academy, students between the ages of 16 – 24 will be invited to form teams to address a real-world challenge and present their solution using their new-found STEM skills and Creative Storytelling. The Challenge is open to students in high schools and universities across Asia Pacific including Greater China, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines and Korea.
Disney will work with Destination Imagination to help students gain skills that may aid future careers in media and entertainment. In addition, Disney guest speakers will introduce students to the breadth of careers open to them in Asia’s creative industry.
“At Disney, we know that powerful storytelling plays a huge role in creating unforgettable moments in entertainment. We look forward to supporting greater access to careers in our industries to inspire future storytellers in Asia Pacific,” said Luke Kang, President, The Walt Disney Company Asia Pacific.
“The Heroic Innovators Challenge is an exciting initiative which will give students the training and tools needed to take on the creative process — from imagination to innovation – and learn idea generation, collaboration and creative thinking,” said Leroy Xiao, China Affiliate Director, Destination Imagination.
The Heroic Innovators Challenge is supported by Disney Future Storytellers, an initiative which aims to inspire the next generation of Storytellers and Innovators to dream about their future, build their talents and skills, and become who they imagine they can be.
* This collaboration is being coordinated by The Walt Disney Company’s Asia Pacific subsidiary, The Walt Disney Company (Southeast Asia) Pte. Ltd.
About The Walt Disney Company
The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise that includes Disney Parks, Experiences and Products; Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution; and four content groups — Studios, General Entertainment, Sports and International — focused on developing and producing content for DTC, theatrical and linear platforms.
About Disney Future Storytellers
Disney Future Storytellers represents a portfolio of social investments and programs that increase access to careers in storytelling and innovation for youth who have been historically underrepresented. From arts and STEM programs for school-age children to scholarships, mentoring, and creative and technical skill-building for teens and young adults, Disney is helping today’s youth, regardless of background, dream about their future, build their talents and skills, and become who they imagine they can be.
