This week’s ideas issue is really about two other “I” words: innovation and initiative, two things that when put together, can be extraordinarily powerful. Innovation means coming up with a creative solution to a problem, or improving on a solution that already exists. We have talked about many innovative ideas in the past in our bright ideas column and throughout the magazine, but this week we not only celebrate great thinking, we try to explain how thinking can lead to reality.

In order to bring about change, innovation must be followed by initiative. Without hard work and sacrifice, ideas will remain ideas. It requires individual and collective efforts to start an organisation, group, business or association. While the ideas may come suddenly, creative solutions require sustained thinking and sustained energy towards a specific goal (for a more thorough explanation of how to make an idea a reality, see page 5).

We know that our readers have fantastic ideas, and this issue is devoted to celebrating young people who have put their ideas into action. You can be part of the changes that you want to see.

Lift is not only about personal improvement; it is also about coming together to talk about the issues that are important to us. Therefore, we want you to send us ideas about what you think will help students and young professionals reach their goals. By sharing ideas on our Facebook site (search for Lift Cambodia), or sending an email to [email protected], you can begin to connect with other students who share your interests and want to work together to make a better future for all of us!