Norwegian telecoms firm Telenor said it is looking for two innovative young social entrepreneurs to represent Myanmar at the annual Telenor Youth Summit.
Telenor will host its annual Youth Summit in Norway’s capital Oslo in December.
The gathering in Norway will explore how mobile connectivity and digital communication can bring about social change and create opportunities for all, Telenor said.
“We are looking for two bright entrepreneurs to represent Myanmar and to demonstrate how we can use digital communications and mobile connectivity to make a positive change,” said Petter Furberg, Telenor Myanmar CEO.
“As we bring mobile connectivity to Myanmar in September, it will open up new possibilities and ideas generated through the Youth Summit can generate a lasting impact for society.”
The firm said applicants must be local Myanmar, be between 18-25 years old and can enter through www.telenor.com/youthsummit. The trip to Norway will be fully sponsored by Telenor.
As Telenor is set to become the second international telco operator after Qatar’s Ooredoo in Myanmar in September, two participants from the country will for the first time be invited to the international event.
Telenor said the summit brings together young social entrepreneurs to engage with experts, thought leaders and fellow innovative and engaged youth from around the globe and help them share ideas and discuss how mobile and digital communication can improve lives and have a transformative power in society.
Among the discussions last year, the Malaysian participant Gwen Yi demonstrated how a mobile app would enable the sharing of innovative learning tools and tips amongst teachers, and Bojana Stajic from Serbia showed her innovation for an app that can show historical buildings from the past to people when visiting old sites.
The Myanmar applicants will be shortlisted based on their submission essay and will then be invited to participate in a weekend workshop with Project Hub, the country’s first start-up incubator.
At the workshop, the finalists will discuss their ideas and get input on how to further develop them with regards to utilising the power of mobile connectivity.
Following the incubation workshop, the two finalists will be chosen by a Selection Committee consisting of senior Telenor representatives such as CEO Petter Furberg, as well as key local partners Project Hub and MIDO, the ICT for Development Organization.
Last year’s Thai participant Onravee Tangmeesang, who won her place at the Youth Summit, will also be on the panel.
The summit is hosted by Telenor Group’s President and CEO Jon Fredrik Baksaas, and arranged in collaboration with the Nobel Peace Center. The event is in Oslo, Norway, from 9-11 December, and coincides with the Nobel Peace Prize festivities the same week.
