- You are not locked in an old mind set

Twenty-seven young opinion leaders and social entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 and 25 participated at the Telenor Youth Summit. The aim of the gathering, which is hosted by the Telenor Group in cooperation with the Nobel Peace Center, is to give young people from Europe and Asia the opportunity to share ideas and discuss how digital communication can be used to improve people’s lives.

Participants from 14 countries

The 27 participants were selected from among 2 000 applicants in 14 countries. Before the Crown Prince arrived, participants spent the morning presenting their own projects and learning about activities the others had launched in their hometowns.

Crown Prince Haakon was received by CEO of the Telenor Group, Jon Fredrik Baksaas, and Executive Director of the Nobel Peace Center, Bente Erichsen, when he arrived at Telenor’s offices in Fornebu, outside Oslo. The Crown Prince had an opportunity to greet the young participants before giving his speech.

Young people and technology

In his remarks, the Crown Prince emphasised that technology in general – and mobile technology in particular – is an important tool in working towards a better society. Young people can play a leading role in these efforts, as they are born into a digital world and are often creative, optimistic and, importantly, not bound by old ways of thinking:

“I really enjoy working with young people. You are optimistic, you go on with great enthusiasm, you are often creative and not locked in [an] old mind set. You are also born at the same time as Internet started to spread, and have developed alongside with modern technology. No one knows technology, and its possibilities, like your generation. This makes you important agents of change.”

Dialogue and understanding

After his speech, the Crown Prince heard several young entrepreneurs present their projects:

• Sara Magnusson of Sweden is working to boost interest in mathematics, science and technology among children.
• Wai Yan Min Htay of Myanmar is a doctor and is working to raise awareness about communicable diseases through mobile technology. 
• Jovana Biga of Montenegro creates phone applications to fight cyberbullying.

Telenor hosts the Youth Summit to tap into the minds of young people and learn more about how the company can work to promote positive social change. The event is organised in the spirit of the Nobel Peace Prize: development through dialogue and understanding. 

During the course of their stay, the participants will take part in a workshop at the Peace Center, see a live transmission of the Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony and attend the Nobel Peace Prize Concert.