BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- "Unistream" from Israel received the 2nd prize at this year's Intercultural Innovation Award (IIA) Ceremony for their educational and entrepreneurial program, "Educating Tomorrow's Leaders Today".
"Our program empowers youth from underprivileged communities all throughout Israel to build and run their own startups," said Hen Ben Saadon, Director of Development and Business Relationships at Unistream. "We are honored to receive the IIA, acknowledging our unique approach to develop youth leadership in closing socio-economic and cultural gaps."
Unistream received the award for their innovative program that encourages dialogue and understanding between Jews, Muslim Arabs and Christian Arabs. It equips underprivileged teens from diverse, marginalized populations with a practical toolbox of business skills, networking experience and the ability to successfully interface with members of other groups. The program focuses on resource scarce communities who typically lack opportunities to interact and builds on the rationale that socio-economic mobility is a peace builder.
The Intercultural Innovation Award, a partnership between UNAOC and the BMW Group, supports grassroots initiatives that promote intercultural dialogue and understanding, thereby contributing to peace, cultural diversity and more inclusive societies. Close to 1000 applications were received from more than 120 countries, from which ten awardees were selected across five continents. This underlines the award's importance and commitment to the worldwide promotion of intercultural diversity and understanding.
The award was presented at a dedicated ceremony on 26 April during the 7th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), chaired by H.E. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, United Nations High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations, and Mr. Bill McAndrews, Vice President BMW Group Communications Strategy, Corporate and Market Communications.
In addition to monetary support, Unistream will receive mentoring from UNAOC and BMW Group to help their projects expand and replicate in other contexts. This includes the opportunity to participate in training activities and workshops, as well as to become part of the exclusive "Intercultural Leaders" network. Project support is customized based on the individual and specific needs of award recipients.
In case of enquiries please contact:
Milena Pighi, BMW Group, Spokesperson BMW Group Corporate Social Responsibility
Telephone: +49-89-382-66563, Fax: +49-89-382-24418, Milena.PA.Pighi@bmw.de
Alessandro Girola, UNAOC, Programming Coordinator
Telephone: +1- 929-274-6217, Fax: +1-929-274-6233, alessandrog@unops.org
Internet: www.press.bmw.de
E-mail: presse@bmw.de
