IICD enters new Global Teenager Project partnership

The Global Teenager Project, IICD’s profoundly successful education project which today involves around 8,000 pupils in 33 different countries, has this month returned to Dutch soil. On May 8th, Caroline Figuères, IICD’s Managing Director, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Bob Hofman, Managing Director of the Dutch Stichting The Round Table to host and coordinate Global Teenager Project activities for the next three years. Stichting The Round Table will take over the responsibilities from Mind Set, the South African organisation who has been hosting GTP for the past 3 years.

The Global Teenager project was founded by IICD in 1998 with the primary objective of building a bridge between youth in developed and developing countries; to teach them how to use ICT by working with other students, across the internet, on topics such as HIV/AIDS and freedom of speech. The project started out with a select number of countries, but quickly expanded as its potential was seen. In 2005, coordination of the project was moved to Mindset, an NGO based in South Africa. Today, 8,000 children spread over 282 classes in 33 countries are participating in the project and has expanded from its originally English-only language base, to see learning circles also conducted in French, Spanish, German and Arabic. The project is supported by various partners which include Anne Frank Stichting, KPN (The Johan Kooij Fellowship) and Kennisnet.

Marking a new phase in their relationship, the partnership with Managing Director, Bob Hofman, is eagerly anticipated. Mr Hofman already has a number of years experience with GTP, formerly as coordinator the Dutch Learning Circles. The transition phase and handover from Mindset is therefore predicted to go through without any hiccoughs. Stichting The Round Table and IICD also share a vision about the role of ICT in education and the ‘Round Table’ team, comprising Bob Hofman and Eliane Metni, bring with them extensive experience from their mutual backgrounds in this field. From this position, IICD is convinced that this partnership will be able to catapult GTP to new heights over the coming years.

In addition to the daily coordination of GTP, the new coordinators will also be asked to advise on the strategy for the project and, more specifically, on how the project can meet the needs and new demands of the 21st century. GTP will need to innovate, experiment with new technologies such as web 2.0 tools, widen its financial base and formulate a new strategy.

The first important date for this partnership is the upcoming Johan Kooij Fellowship meeting in June this year, taking place in Bad Boekelo, The Netherlands. This annual meeting brings together GTP coordinators from various countries to look back on the achievements of the past year. The aim is to exchange new experiences and discuss possible improvements to the project. This year they will also look at how new partnerships could add value to the project.