The Inspiration for Integration (IVI) award was first presented in 2005 by Prime Minster Balkenende and the mayor of Rotterdam, Mr. Opstelten. When the prize was awarded for the second time in Amsterdam, the mayor, Job Cohen, presented the award to the winner, and no one less than Princess Máxima was scheduled to open the gala. Unfortuantely, she had to cancel at the last moment because of her pregnancy.
Inspiration for Integration arose from the personal experiences of the initiator, Yeşim Candan. Highly educated, born in the Netherlands of Turkish parents, she was so frequently confronted with strange prejudices about foreigners, foreign women and Turkish girls in particular, that she devised a plan to show the Dutch people and foreign youths that there is such a thing as talented, motivated foreigners - or preferably: People with a bicultural background who can make a valuable contribution to Dutch society. She wanted to counterbalance the negative reports in the media and the general perception about foreign youths by creating a platform for role models who can motivate and inspire others. These role models see their bicultural background as added value that they benefit from when it comes to acquiring their place in Dutch society. De BaakManagement Centrum VNO-NCW liked the initiative, embraced it, and supports it.
- To raise the awareness of the highly educated bicultural population; to determine what their ambition is and what motivates them.
- To increase the understanding between highly educated Dutch and bicultural people.
- To promote meetings/integration by giving role models a platform so they can inspire others to draw energy from diversity.
- To demonstrate that having a second culture is enriching and enriches business.
- To show that diversity is part of internationalization and that it is necessary if we want to continue competing at an international level.
· To give new impetus to the perception the Dutch have of biculturalism.
Successful people who are ambitious and entrepreneurial. People who are socially involved, who want to inspire and motivate others, and who are prepared to illustrate their creativity and their ability to inspire in a project.
Although IVI was conceived to improve the image of foreigners, the project now has a broader scope. Diversity in the widest sense of the word, and its importance, are underlined.
IVI 2008 declares the hunt for bicultural talent open.
In just three years, the topic of inspiration and integration has been picked up by the media, business and the government. Biculturalism is high on the agenda. Employers have an eye on these talented people and the voices of bicultural role models are heard in the media and elsewhere.
IVI's mission was successful: "Get foreigners out of the ‘victim corner,’ give positive attention to the power of a bicultural background by bringing inspiring role models to the fore and putting them in the spotlight."
Seven sponsors started seven projects around "Inspiration for Integration" and are looking for seven high-performers to finish the projects in 10 weeks. "Passion, positivity, inspiring leadership and perseverance are the most important characteristics that we're looking for in the candidates. Then it's time for IVI to go European; Europe is teeming with bicultural talent that is fully capable of standing in the spotlight. Hopefully this third IVI will provide a template for a European kind of IVI," says Y. Candan.
The first prize will literally enable the winner to cross his or her own boundaries and enable him or her to become acquainted with multicultural hotspots around the world: a trip for two to Rio de Janeiro, New York, Shanghai and Istanbul.
In addition, the daily newspaper Metro is supporting a fantastic public award: a place at Harvard Summer School!
- Your company will pay a tangible, public contribution to the multicultural society.
- Your company will be promoted as an organization for which diversity plays an important role.
- Your company will participate in bicultural network organizations that are associated with Inspiration for Integration.
- Your company will be on the Advisory Council, the advisory board that supports Inspiration for Integration at the administrative level.
- Your company logo will be included in all media and other communication such as advertisements, flyers, posters, web sites and mailings.
- Your company will contribute to social diversity by creating mutual understanding.
- Your company will invest in Corporate Social Responsibility by giving role models a platform so they can inspire others.
- Your company will have the opportunity to improve social cohesion in big cities in particular.
Sponsors:
Delta Lloyd, Councils: Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht and The Hague, the Ministry of SZW (Social Affairs and Employment) and the Ministry of VROM-WWI (Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment / Housing, Communities, Integration).
Network partners:
Cosmicus, Stichting De Nieuwe Generatie, Vereniging Antilliaans Netwerk, Tannet, Women's Inc and Aalse Bor & Partners
Media partners:
Metro, Mtnl, Intermediair, Colorfull Magazine, Business News Radio
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