Children’s charity Childnet International will soon launch its global Childnet Academy programme for 2005 which it runs in partnership with Cable & Wireless. The Academy competition is for young people 18 years and under who have developed online projects or have a new idea which will benefit other young people around the world. Children and young people can enter individually or as a school project using the online entry form found on the academy website www.childnetacademy.org. There
is also a special category for young people who have an idea for an Internet project but are yet to start to develop it. This category is called New to the Net.

Winners of the 2005 Academy will win a trip for two to Jamaica to participate in the Academy week programme. The week will bring together like-minded young people from all over the world with Internet experts and mentors who will support the ongoing development of their projects.
During the Academy week young people will participate in workshops involving the use of new digital media and learn valuable new skills and knowledge that will empower and enable them to positively develop their projects. Winners also receive a grant from the web development fund.

Childnet Academy project manager Tanya Eddowes says;

“I have been overwhelmed by the interest the Academy has generated this year. We have received many emails expressing interest and entries are coming in fast. The inaugural Academy took place in London last Easter and it was a tremendous success. I am very optimistic that the 2005 Academy which will be held in Jamaica will exceed all expectations.”

Stephen Carrick-Davies CEO of Childnet says,

“Over the last 7 years Childnet has run the awards programme in very many parts of the world and it is very exciting to be returning to the Caribbean and holding the Academy in Jamaica this year. This will give all the winners a wonderful opportunity to find out more about Caribbean culture and learn from local young people about how they are using the Internet for good.”

For further information please visit www.childnetacademy.org or email [email protected]