Baltimore, MD -- Television viewers around the world are now able to trace the successes and challenges faced by two YouthActionNet™ leaders as part of a new CNN International series entitled, “Be the Change.” This new series will feature video diaries and blogs produced by six men and women who are volunteering their time and energy to serve others. YouthActionNet™ is a program, launched by the International Youth Foundation (IYF) and Nokia, that invests in the power and promise of young people to create positive change.
Among those selected to participate in the series are YouthActionNet™ Fellows Jennifer Staple, founder of Unite for Sight, an international eye health organization, and Vimlendu Jha, founder of Sweccha – We For Change Foundation. Over the past seven years, Jennifer has grown Unite for Sight from a US-based campus initiative to a global organization serving over 400,000 people. Vimlendu’s pioneering efforts to save India’s Yamuna River were highlighted in Our Time is Now: Young People Changing the World, an International Youth Foundation publication.
“An important focus of YouthActionNet™’s work is to tell the story of today’s global youth movement and the efforts of committed young social entrepreneurs like Jennifer and Vimlendu,” said IYF President and CEO William Reese. “We applaud CNN for its commitment to spotlight the efforts of young people whose far-reaching contributions often go unrecognized in the mainstream media.”
Each week, CNN International will broadcast a video diary from one of the six “Be the Change” participants. The accompanying website will feature previous video segments, blogs, biographical sketches, and photo galleries. The interactive website invites visitors to comment and post questions. Go to: www.cnn/com/bethechange
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About YouthActionNet™
Launched in 2001, YouthActionNet™ invests in the power and promise of young people to create positive change. Through its Global Fellowship Program, customized trainings, dynamic website, and peer-to-peer learning opportunities, YouthActionNet™ offers young change makers ideas, resources, and connections to like minds around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.youthactionnet.org.
About the International Youth Foundation
The International Youth Foundation is a global non-profit organization uniquely dedicated to preparing young people to be healthy, productive, and engaged citizens. Founded in 1990, IYF’s worldwide network of partner organizations has grown to 70 countries, helping young people to shape their futures through proven programs that tie education to work, improve employability, and enable and inspire them to play a positive role in their communities. IYF collaborates with businesses, governments, and civil society organizations to build effective and sustainable programs that positively impact the lives of young people worldwide. For more information, please visit: www.iyfnet.org.
About Nokia - Community involvement
Nokia is committed to having a positive impact on society that extends beyond the advanced technology, products, and services it creates. It has invested in community projects supporting young people and education in 30 countries, benefiting more than one million young people. The company has an active employee volunteering program which last year saw its employees give more than 18,000 hours to local community projects. Nokia is also supporting innovative technology projects designed to bridge the digital divide and bring the benefits of mobile technology to communities around the world. More information about Nokia is available at: www.nokia.com.
Contact
James Peirce
Vice President, Planning and Outreach
Tel: +1-410-951-1606
Email: jim@iyfnet.org |
