OREANDA-NEWS. The answers to some of the most daunting challenges facing Asia’s youth may be found in Asia’s youth themselves. This is the premise to Telenor Group’s announcement today that it is bringing its global Telenor Youth Forum to Asia for the first time. Continuing its commitment to empowering a generation of digital natives, the event brings young thought leaders from six countries together in Bangkok for a two-day session to address challenges for  youth in the region.
The annual Telenor Youth Forum is organized in partnership with the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo, Norway and invites talented youth from Telenor’s markets around the world to find paths to dialogue and peace, focusing on solutions that combine technology, engagement and advocacy.

First time

This year, the Oslo-based forum is expanding to Asia for the first time, for a regionally-focused forum that centers on solving some of the most pressing youth issues in Asia. The five issues range from youth unemployment to dialogue and access surrounding less talked about topics, such as mental health.

The 28 participating delegates are alumni of the global Telenor Youth Forum from the past three years and represent Telenor’s six markets in Asia: Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan and Thailand. Born into a digital age, these young innovators are passionate about social causes and believe that the power of technology can create action and real change.

Nowshin Chowdhury, 2014 Telenor Youth Forum delegate from Bangladesh said, “We must unite, share ideas and solve problems as young activists in Asia. It’s key that we actively participate in decision making processes and lend our ideas to empower our peers across the region. I am excited to take part in the Telenor Youth Forum once again, and look forward to taking on the region’s problems with my peers.”

Expert Resources

The delegates will be organized into teams and be guided by world-class mentors and speakers from organizations such as the United Nations Development Programme, UNICEF Global Innovation Centre, and the Nobel Peace Center, who will provide expert resources for strategy building, design planning and solution delivery.  The event will also include keynotes by Sigve Brekke, President and CEO of Telenor Group, and Liv Tørres, Executive Director of the Nobel Peace Center. 

“By reconnecting our markets’ brightest, most engaged and tech-savvy youth to collectively address some of Asia’s challenges, we hope to see creative solutions that inspire scalable programs that empower youth in the region,” said Brekke. “As we pilot the Telenor Youth Forum in Asia, we are not only furthering our commitment to an inclusive digital future, but also expanding this formerly Oslo-based programme into a year-round cycle of dialogue and production that now includes an additional event in Asia mid-year.”

Liv Tørres (pictured), Executive Director, Nobel Peace Center, said, “Our mission is to inspire peace, and we have partnered with the Telenor Youth Forum because it provides an arena for young people with ideas and passion to address the issues that matter most in building a path to peace. We are excited to take part in this program in Asia as it sources real solutions from the people best equipped to make the biggest difference in their region.”