Applications to join the next Telenor Youth Forum (TYF) which will run in Oslo, Norway, from December 8 to 11 are now open in Myanmar. Anyone between 20-28 years of age in Myanmar who is fluent in English and attending or has completed higher education is eligible to apply and the applications period is from May 15 to July 31.
Telenor Youth Forum is a global program designed and hosted by Telenor Group and the Nobel Peace Center (NPC). This joint initiative is based on the shared belief that young people can use digital technology to drive real change in the world and reduce inequalities with innovative solutions. Eight talented youths from Myanmar have already represented the country in the last five editions of TYF.
“Telenor Youth Forum is one of Telenor’s initiatives bringing out young and bright stars who are passionate about driving social, economic and environmental change in their communities. With the desire to make a difference to the world they are living in, we really hope that their big ideas and skills would be polished and brightened by the exposure that they would gain from TYF. Telenor would like to encourage Myanmar youths to apply for this and show off their ability to be part of global change,” said Lars Erik Tellmann, Telenor Myanmar’s Chief Executive Officer.
The TYF program requires a one-year commitment and includes all-expensespaid gatherings in Oslo in December 2018 and in Bangkok in May 2019. Winning delegates from Telenor markets work virtually throughout the TYF year with their assigned teams, averaging around two hours per week. Over the year-long program, they develop ideas for products, services or campaigns that address urgent social challenges assigned to them at the event’s December kickoff in Oslo. A l o n g t h e w a y , t h e delegates also receive guidance and mentorship f r o m T e l e n o r G r o u p subject matter experts. Throughout the TYF program, the mentors e q u i p t h e d e l e g a t e s with real-world skills such as service design, prototyping, presenting, exhibiting and pitching, in addition to insights on issues that can only be gained through hands-on experience.
2017’s TYF delegates are still in the midst of their journey, having kicked off their work this past December in Oslo where they were placed into teams, assigned challenges and began designing digital solutions. These delegates are currently tackling the issues of online safety, digital identity, decent working conditions and using big data for social good. The teams are mid-way through the program and will be gathering this month in Bangkok to pitch for funding the future of their work and build digital exhibitions on their issues for the Nobel Peace Center.
At the end of each TYF, a winning team is selected and funds of 100,000 Norwegian Kroner $15,000 are provided through their Telenor mentor as seed funding to make their ideas come to life.
