Ten young community leaders from around the world will receive the June 2003 YouthActionNet Awards. Final selections were made following a peer review process in which previous youth award winners select the next round of awardees. The winners, ranging in age from 19 to 24 and representing nine countries, come from diverse backgrounds, but share a similar vision: to promote positive social change in their countries.
The YouthActionNet awards will assist Midjola Ejronu, a 24-year-old in Togo, in increasing HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention efforts among young women and girls; and Harjant Gill, a 21-year-old Indian student in the United States, to continue producing films that raise awareness about issues related to the gay youth community. Recipient Benjamin Azubogu, a 19-year-old Nigerian, will also be helped by the awards as he leads efforts to highlight the devastating effects of war on children, while bringing young victims of war together in search of solutions.
The awards are presented by YouthActionNet.org, an interactive website created by and for youth, which 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 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, to their families and peers, and to themselves.
Recipients are awarded US$500 each to support their work, receive visibility through electronic and print materials, and become eligible to participate in international meetings sponsored through YouthActionNet.
IYF first announced the YouthActionNet awards competition in January 2002. To date, applications have been received from more than 1,000 young leaders representing over 60 countries. Recipients are selected on a semi-annual basis, with applications currently being accepted for the next round of awards to be announced in December 2003. To learn more about YouthActionNet.org and for further information on award recipients, visit http://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, Germany, Hungary, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Poland, the Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey and the United Kingdom. More information on Make a Connection can be found at www.makeaconnection.org
About 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 it 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 50 countries, IYF and its partners have helped more than 26 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
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