Telenor Group challenges 26 millennials to tackle global problems with technology

• Twenty-six delegates to take part in global Telenor Youth Forum program, in partnership with the Nobel Peace Center

• Top candidates selected from footprint of more than one billion people in largest-ever global recruitment program by Telenor Group

• Delegates to spend one year developing solutions that target global, social challenges

Published: 11 October 2016

Twenty-six talented millennials from Telenor’s 13 markets were selected from a pool of nearly 5,000 applicants to represent their countries in the fourth annual Telenor Youth Forum (TYF) and 2016 Nobel Peace Prize activities. TYF is a program run by Telenor Group and the Nobel Peace Center, with the aim to empower youth to solve social issues through technology.

The one-year TYF program begins in Oslo, Dec. 8 – 11, during Nobel Peace Prize week. The selected delegates will take part in events related to honoring the Nobel Peace Prize winner, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, in addition to working in teams to design solutions to major social challenges. The year-long TYF program will consist of virtual teamwork (after the Oslo event) punctuated by a Bangkok-based meet-up in May 2017, and culminating in the unveiling of the teams’ digital exhibitions with the Nobel Peace Center in October 2017.

Nobel Peace Center serves as key partner for TYF

“We are excited to bring delegates from across Europe and Asia together, challenging them to become experts and solution drivers on global, social issues,” said Liv Tørres, Executive Director for the Nobel Peace Center. “At the Nobel Peace Center, we believe that by addressing social inequalities, we take one step closer to peace. Through this program we want youth to realize their potential to start change.”

“We believe in youth with ideas, passion and social conscience. We’re optimistic about the power of technology, and we think that communication across boundaries can foster peace. At Telenor we are excited to see young minds gather to co-create with us, our experts and with our partners at the Nobel Peace Center,” said Sigve Brekke, President and CEO of Telenor Group.

Who are the delegates?

With more than one billion people within Telenor Group’s 13-market footprint, the 26 youth who have been selected as TYF delegates represent the top talents from an enormous pool. This has amounted to the largest global recruitment process ever conducted by Telenor. More than 4,800 applications were received for the Telenor Youth Forum, and through essays, video interviews, event appearances and other screenings, the following top individuals were selected.

Meet the delegates

Full bios available on the Telenor Youth Forum website Norway Haakon Berge Wiken, 21, Bærum, Norway

Karoline Hjelmtvedt, 25, Tønsberg, Norway

Sweden

Albert Edvin Harald Askeljung, 24, Stockholm, Sweden

Sara Babiker, 22, Stockholm, Sweden Denmark

Alexander Gregaard Brandi, 28, Copenhagen, Denmark

Hanne Borris Mathiesen, 25, Aalborg, Denmark Hungary

Annamaria Nemeth, 26, Zalaegerszeg, Hungary

Zalan Zubor, 26, Budapest,Hungary Serbia

Tamara Kojic, 25, Belgrade,Serbia

Jovana Daljevic, 24, Belgrade, Serbia Montenegro

Bojana Minic, 25, Podgorica, Montenegro

Anja Drobnjak, 24, Podgorica, Montenegro Bulgaria

Ani Aleksandrova Koleva, 23, Bulgaria

Boyan Petrov, 22, Radomir, Bulgaria Pakistan

Mehroze Munawar, 22, Karachi Pakistan

Sajawal Waseem, 22, Lahore Pakistan India

Sharad Vivek Sagar, 24, Patna, India

Paridhi Rustogi, 21, New Delhi, India Bangladesh

Rafsan Sabab Khan, 21, Manikganj, Bangladesh

Ramim Ahmed, 22, Chittagong, Bangladesh Myanmar Hnin Naing, 20, Yangon, Myanmar

Zaw Tu Hkawng, 26, Yangon, Myanmar

Thailand

Kadesiree Thossaphonpaisan, 25, Nonthaburi, Thailand

Pannavat Veeraburinon, 22, Parket, Thailand Malaysia

Alina Binti Amir, 28, Selangor, Malaysia

Nora Nabila Ahmad Sabri, 26, Putrajaya, Malaysia

How the program works

Telenor has invited service design agency Livework to support the youth in designing solutions, and each team will be supported by an expert mentor who will guide the team throughout the year as they develop their solution.

From Oslo to Bangkok, TYF takes youth around the world

TYF will host a second event for the delegates in Bangkok in May 2017. This will be the first major milestone for the teams as they work to implement their solutions. The program will conclude for this batch of young people in October 2017, when Telenor and a jury of experts will evaluate the work and select a winning team that will return to Oslo in December 2017 to inspire the next round of TYF participants.