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), YouthActionNet celebrates positive change made by youth around the world.  YouthActionNet.org forms a vital part of the Make a Connection program, a global initiative of IYF and Nokia to provide opportunities for young people to connect to their communities, their families and peers, and themselves. 

 

The winners, aged 19 to 24 and representing nine countries, come from diverse backgrounds, but share a similar vision: to promote positive social change in their countries.  They were selected following a peer review process in which previous award winners select their successors.  Each winner is awarded US$500 to support their work, receives exposure of their work in electronic and print media, and becomes eligible to participate in international meetings sponsored by YouthActionNet. 

 

In many cases, award winners have planned to use the funding they will receive to strengthen and expand their efforts. In Serbia and Montenegro, 21-year-old Ana Popovic will use the award to host a three-day workshop on children's rights. The findings from this workshop will help policymakers understand the issues facing young people. Muhammad Idrees Khan, a 23-year-old community activist in Pakistan, plans to use the award to expand his efforts to equip unemployed youth with valuable skills training through volunteer service to their communities.

 

IYF first announced the YouthActionNet awards competition in January 2002.  To date, 1,450 applications have been received from young leaders in over 60 countries.  Recipients are selected on a biannual basis, and applications can be submitted for the next round of awards, which will be presented in June 2004.  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 initiative of the International Youth Foundation and Nokia to promote positive youth development by giving young people an 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 make a positive contribution to their societies. Country programs are currently running in Brazil, Canada, China, the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Hungary, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Poland, Peru, the Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey and the United Kingdom.  More information on Make a Connection can be found at www.makeaconnection.org.

 

About the International Youth Foundation
The International Youth Foundation (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 non-governmental organizations to scale up existing programs and build long-term strategic partnerships.  Currently operating in nearly 60 countries and territories, IYF and its partners have helped more than 30 million young people gain the skills, training and opportunities critical to their success. More information on IYF can be found at 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 cooperation 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. More information on Nokia can be found at www.nokia.com.

 

For further information:

 

International Youth Foundation

Karen Diakun

Phone +1-410-951 2328
Email: kdiakun@iyfnet.org

 

Nokia

Veronica Scheubel

Phone +358-40-837 9421

Email: veronica.scheubel@nokia.com