ITU launches 2nd Young Innovators Competition for entrepreneurs

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has launched the second edition of its Young Innovators Competition.

This is to give young, talented social entrepreneurs the opportunity to attend the UN agency’s key global networking and knowledge sharing event – the ITU Telecom World 2012.

The competition also gives entrepreneurs the chance to win funding, mentorship and support, says the ITU.

Open to 18-25 year olds worldwide, the Young Innovators Competition calls for projects/concepts which engage the power of ICTs to meet real-world developmental challenges.

According to the ITU, concepts must be relevant to one of eight core areas. They are Education; Empowerment of Women; Environmental Sustainability; Healthcare; Human Rights; Transparency; Cybersecurity and Youth Employment.

Deadline for initial submissions has been set for July 1, 2012 after which 12 finalists will be shortlisted.

The ITU Telecom World 2012 takes place from October 14-18 in Dubai.

“Participation in this competition offers a great opportunity for the next generation of young visionaries to demonstrate their ideas and innovations on a truly global stage at our event, and show how their fresh digital thinking can change the world for the better,” said ITU Secretary-General Hamadoun Touré.

By Ekow Quandzie