“Internet v Internat” – A New Eventica Initiative to Bring Internet Access to Childrens’ Homes Across Russia, in Cooperation With Odnoklassniki.ru
Launch Event – Hotel 'Morskoi Vokzal', St Petersburg, 7 June 2008
Eventica, with support from Odnoklassniki online social network, is proud to be launching a special initiative, designed to open a whole new world to many of Russia’s most disadvantaged youngsters. Titled ‘Internet v Internat’ - a play on the Russian word for childrens’ homes – this project will be launched at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum on 7 June 2008, where it will be the only official charity event of the conference.
The ultimate objective of the ‘Internet v Internat’ programme will be to connect all childrens’ homes in Russia to the internet by 2010. Whilst the conditions for children in these establishments have improved considerably in recent years, they are still often left unequipped for the challenges they face when it is time for them to leave home and find work, or move on to higher education. The business community can play an instrumental role in giving them the tools they need to prepare for this difficult transition, including the access to vital information that the internet can provide.
New Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has made it clear that improving internet access across Russia - especially for young people - will be an important priority for his Administration. The ‘Internet v Internat’ project will support these efforts, including the existing Russian federal programme ‘Children of Russia (2007-2010)’.
The launch event in St Petersburg will consist of a discussion panel which will look at the potential of the internet in improving young peoples’ lives – and what more can be done. It will feature key figures from high technology industries, official representatives from the Russian Ministries of Communications, Education and Health & Social Development, well known leaders of social organisations, and journalists from Russian and international media.
There will also be a very important fundraising component as well. Russian business leaders, having made a special contribution to the ‘Internat v Internat’ project, will take part in an ‘Electronic Battleship’ tournament, with students from a number of different childrens’ homes. The winning kids will receive awards, and special grants towards their costs for university or technical institutes.
All proceeds from the tournament will go towards supplying and fitting childrens’ homes in St Petersburg. The first stage of the ‘Internet v Internat’ project will begin in St Petersburg with a pilot programme, and will then be phased out to other regions nationwide, in conjunction with existing cultural and educational programmes.
An important goal of the launch event will be to raise awareness in the Russian and international business community about the new programme, and this problem as a whole.
For more details, please contact Nadya Makoeva on +7 (495) 258-40-11 or email nm@eventica.co.uk.
