February 15, 2013 — The Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship announced today the 2013 Social Entrepreneurs of the Year, a list that this year includes and recognizes Njideka Harry, Founder of the Youth for Technology Foundation (YTF).
The Schwab Foundation, in collaboration with the World Economic Forum, selects recipients for this honor based on three categories: innovation, sustainability, and direct social impact.
Ms. Harry’s award was based on the YTF Academy model, which serves disadvantaged youth in Africa with technology and life skills, offering them pathways for economic opportunity. This model is built to expand beyond individual youth, as beneficiaries are guided to think critically about how technology can not only advance their own education, but also make an impact in their community.
The YTF Academy not only makes ripples within communities, but across the world. Model replications are made possible through a diligent process of training and local buy-in. Those interested in starting YTF Academy in their country are vetted, coached in an existing YTF Digital Village for two months, and strategically plugged in to their home community through local leaders and influencers. Communities with YTF Academies develop both employment pipelines for individual beneficiaries and structural shifts to increase opportunities for all.
The broader Schwab Foundation community of Social Entrepreneurs includes 234 social entrepreneurs from 59 countries. As a new Schwab Foundation Social Entrepreneur, Ms. Harry will be fully integrated into the events and initiatives of the World Economic Forum. Award recipients contribute actively to and benefit from peer-to-peer exchanges with other social entrepreneurs as well as interaction with top leaders in business, government, civil society and the media.
Click here for Press Release:
Click here for Schwab Foundation / World Economic Forum Press Release:
http://www.weforum.org/nr_
Click here for Social Entrepreneurs of the Year:
http://www.schwabfound.org/
