Architecture for Humanity

Every year the TED conference brings together thought leaders in Technology, Entertainment, and Design, and honors at most three of them with the TED prize, granting each of them a wish.

Nearly a year ago, I pondered the long-term housing needs of Katrina's survivors and wondered whether they could be provided with housing kits they could easily build themselves. When I recently viewed the 2006 TED Prize Webcast with a group of friends, I was greatly heartened to learn of TED Prize winner Cameron Sinclair's Architecture for Humanity. These architects are working to help Katrina's survivors as well as other needy people around the world.

Jehane Noujaim, director of Control Room, who also won the TED prize, spoke passionately about the power of film to bring people together. Dr. Larry Brilliant, leader of the successful effort to eradicate smallpox, co-founder of pioneering online community the WELL, founder of the Seva Foundation to combat blindness and executive director of Google.org, was the final winner of the TED prize. He spoke about the importance of early detection and early response in combating disease.