International Youth Foundation (IYF) and Nokia have selected 10 young community leaders from around the world as recipients of the 2002 YouthActionNet Awards. Included among the award winners is a 19-year-old Afghan woman working to increase awareness of issues facing the nation's youth; a 20-year-old American leading efforts to provide affordable housing to low-income families; and a 21-year-old Ethiopian who, having grown up on the streets, uses dance and theatre as a tool to promote individual and community transformation.
An interactive website created by and for youth, YouthActionNet.org works to inspire and promote youth leadership worldwide. Launched in 2001 by the International Youth Foundation (IYF) and Nokia, YouthActionNet celebrates the dynamic role that youth are playing in leading positive change around the world. YouthActionNet.org is part of the Make a Connection program, a global initiative of IYF and Nokia providing opportunities for young people to connect to their communities, to their families and peers, and to themselves.
Ranging in age from 19 to 24, recipients are being awarded US$500 each to support their work. In addition, they receive visibility for their work through electronic and print materials, and are eligible to participate in international meetings sponsored through YouthActionNet. IYF announced the biannual awards competition in January 2002. In June 2002, 16 youth were recognized in the first round of selections for the year. To date, applications have been received from more than 650 young leaders in over 50 countries. Final selections are made following a peer review process in which previous award winners select the next round of awardees.
In many cases, award winners plan to use the funding they receive to strengthen and expand their efforts. In Indonesia, for example, 23-year-old Afia Fitriati will use the funding she receives to enlarge her book distribution project to children living in remote, rural areas of the country. In Malawi, Kingdom Kwapata, age 24, will use YouthActionNet funds to develop educational materials (fliers, brochures, and posters) aimed at putting an end to female genital mutilation in the region where he lives. And in the U.K., Zuhra Bahman, age 19, will create a magazine aimed at giving Afghan youth a greater voice on issues affecting them.
Applications are currently being accepted for the next round of awards to be announced in June 2003. To learn more about YouthActionNet.org and for further information on award recipients, visit www.youthactionnet.org
About Make a Connection
Make a Connection is a global, multi-year partnership between the International Youth Foundation (IYF) and Nokia to promote positive youth development by giving young people and opportunity to "make a connection" to their communities, to their families and peers, and to themselves. The program improves young people's educational opportunities, teaches them life skills and helps them to make a positive contribution to their societies. Country programs are currently running in Brazil, Canada, China, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Mexico, the Philippines, Poland, South Africa, South Korea, and the United Kingdom. www.makeaconnection.org
Make a Connection is a global, multi-year partnership between the International Youth Foundation (IYF) and Nokia to promote positive youth development by giving young people and opportunity to "make a connection" to their communities, to their families and peers, and to themselves. The program improves young people's educational opportunities, teaches them life skills and helps them to make a positive contribution to their societies. Country programs are currently running in Brazil, Canada, China, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Mexico, the Philippines, Poland, South Africa, South Korea, and the United Kingdom. www.makeaconnection.org
About International Youth Foundation
The International Youth Foundation (IYF) is one of the world's largest public foundations focused on children and youth. IYF is dedicated to supporting programs that improve the conditions and prospects for young people where they live, learn, work, and play. Since its founding in 1990, IYF has worked with hundreds of companies, foundations, and nongovernmental organizations to scale up existing programs and build long-term strategic partnerships. Currently operating in nearly 50 countries and territories, IYF and its partners have helped more than 26 million young people gain the skills, training and opportunities critical to their success. www.iyfnet.org
The International Youth Foundation (IYF) is one of the world's largest public foundations focused on children and youth. IYF is dedicated to supporting programs that improve the conditions and prospects for young people where they live, learn, work, and play. Since its founding in 1990, IYF has worked with hundreds of companies, foundations, and nongovernmental organizations to scale up existing programs and build long-term strategic partnerships. Currently operating in nearly 50 countries and territories, IYF and its partners have helped more than 26 million young people gain the skills, training and opportunities critical to their success. www.iyfnet.org
About Nokia
Nokia is committed to having a positive impact on society that extends beyond the advanced technology, products and services the company creates. Through its partnership with IYF and other regional philanthropic and social responsibility programs, the company prepares young people to embrace opportunities and possibilities created by the global economy and new technological advancements. The company has been an active regional contributor to youth and education causes for many years, with Nokia employees making their own contributions as volunteers in a range of programs throughout the world. www.nokia.com
Nokia is committed to having a positive impact on society that extends beyond the advanced technology, products and services the company creates. Through its partnership with IYF and other regional philanthropic and social responsibility programs, the company prepares young people to embrace opportunities and possibilities created by the global economy and new technological advancements. The company has been an active regional contributor to youth and education causes for many years, with Nokia employees making their own contributions as volunteers in a range of programs throughout the world. www.nokia.com
For more information:
Karen Daikun
+1 410 951 2328
kdiakun@iyfnet.org