Press release: 10 Pioneering Youths Shortlisted for the 2021 Pioneer Prize

 

Ten shortlisted youths still have the chance to be rewarded for their local efforts to create more safe and inclusive societies by winning the newly launched Pioneer Prize, an initiative by the non-profit organisation Nordic Safe Cities. The Prize consists of a scholarship of 25.000 DKK and will be awarded to four youth no older than 25. These ten youths stood out from dozens of other applicants for having showed impressive devotion to enhance their local community, using different platforms and tools. The four winners will officially be announced on the 23rd of September at a prize ceremony at the Swedish Embassy in Copenhagen.

The ten candidates who still have a chance to be awarded the prize are: Nancy Herz, 25, Gyldendal, Oslo (NO), Lida Afghan, 24, Lida’s Eyes, Aarhus (DK), Bianca Hallveig Sigurðardóttir, 19, Erlendur Magazine & The Icebloomers Podcast, Reykjavík (IS), Hanna Kivimäki, 25, The Union of Local Youth Councils in Finland, Helsinki (FI), Nooh Dib, 23, Flamman Socialt förebyggande centrum, Malmö (SE), Nagin Ravand, 22, Vatanspor Football Club, Aarhus (DK), Anna Sonde, 15, Kristín Reynisdóttir, 18 & Valgerður Kehinde Reynisdóttir, 18 (nominated as a group), Antirasistarnir, Reykjavik (IS), Marek Azoulay, 25, Mino Youth, Copenhagen (DK), Souhail Benaouisse, 23, GAME NGO, Copenhagen (DK), Seqininnguaq Poulsen, 20, LGBT Greenland, Nuuk (GL/DK).

– We have noticed an increased focus on countering polarisation, discrimination and racism amongst youths today, which is clearly reflected in this year’s nominees for the Pioneer Prize. All nominees have demonstrated an inspirational devotion to improve society, which shines through in their various engagements, as a response to the great uncertainty and change characterising theirs and so many other youths’ future, says Gustav Plantin, project manager at Nordic Safe Cities and continues:

– We are extremely proud of all the fine nominations of young leaders we have received. We have now made the first selection and will in the coming weeks choose who will receive this year’s Pioneer Prize.

The shortlisted candidates go through a thorough selection process, starting with nominations and applications being read and discussed by the youths behind the Pioneer Prize at Nordic Safe Cities, as well as representatives from UNLEASH – a global innovation lab who collaborate with young talents on solutions contributing to UN’s SDGs. The top 10 shortlisted candidates are called in for in-depth interview, before a youth jury, consisting of ten of Nordic’s most pioneering youths under the age of 30, decides which 4 individuals will receive this year’s prize.

 

About the Pioneer Prize
The Pioneer Prize is a youth prize consisting of 25.000 DKK, awarded to 4 courageous youths between the age of 15-25, who have demonstrating considerable devotion to increase local safety and cohesion in their Nordic community, by tackling polarization, hate and social exclusion. The Prize Ceremony takes place at the Swedish Embassy in Copenhagen on the 23^rd of September. The project is driven and initiated by Nordic Safe Cities.

Media Contact
In order to get in touch with this year’s nominees, please contact the Gustav Plantin, Project Manager for Nordic Safe Cities. gustav@nordicsafecities.org or tel. +46768125104.

MORE ABOUT THE CANDIDATES

• Nancy Herz, 25, Author and Human Rights Activist, Oslo, Norway
  Nancy Herz, is a Lebanese-Norwegian author, public speaker and human’s rights activist, who works for strengthening women’s rights and promoting freedom of expression. Alongside Amina Bile and Sofia Srour, Herz started the movement known in the media as “the Shameless Girls” in Norway, which set about putting negative social control and the fight against shame and cultures of honour on the agenda. Nancy has this far published two books on these issues. Following this, Nancy has for the past five years toured around Norway, and internationally, lecturing about freedom of speech, exclusion, shame and honour culture and feminism. As a leader, Nancy values diversity and respect as key features for acquiring change. Using these values, she fights to abolish injustices and create a world where everyone can live safely and enjoy their basic human rights.

 

• Lida Afghan, 23, Artist and Women’s Rights Activist, Aarhus, Denmark
  Lida Afghan, artist and women’s rights activist, works for exploring women’s rights and the voices of Afghanistan through art, using her own Instagram page Lida’s Eyes. Many of her works of art illuminate the beauties of the country, but also emphasizes the political and social problems that Afghanistan faces, especially related to women and their rights. Through this, she aims to educate on female empowerment and basic human rights, both in Denmark and internationally. In addition to this, Lida is engaged in several organisations, such as the youth network in the Danish Refugee Council. In all her undertakings, Lida stresses being inclusive and listening when aiming to drive change.

 

• Bianca Hallveig Sigurðardóttir, 19, Co-Founder Erlendur Magazine & Host of The Icebloomers Podcast, Reykjavik, Iceland
  Bianca Hallveig Sigurðardóttir is the co-founder and creative director of the digital magazine Erlendur, and host of the Icebloomers Podcast. Bianca was born in Iceland, moved to England at an early age, and back to Iceland at the age of 12, where she experienced exclusion and racism. Since then, she has supported initiatives that promote love, safety, and equality. In both her magazine and podcast, she discusses and promote cultural diversity and inclusion, while also exploring the voices of young people. Today, both the platforms have become important communities for multicultural people in Iceland while also expanding outside the borders of the country. As a leader, she emphasizes tolerance, but also the courage to speak out on topics of concern. Practicing these qualities herself, she hopes to one day change the fashion industry, which she also explores through her magazine.

 

• Nooh Dib, 23, Coach and Mentor for Youth, Flamman Socialt förebyggande centrum, Malmö, Sweden
  Nooh Dib, Coach and Mentor for Youth in Malmö, works preventatively with children and youth to strengthen their self-esteem and hopes for the future. Over the past years, he has been involved in projects ranging from preventing radicalization and extremism to gambling addiction. Today, he lectures in schools around Sweden about personal development, democracy and how to be included as part of society, while continuing to organize activities for youth in and around the Malmö area. In addition to this, Nooh also runs a café driven by individuals who have previously been far away from the labour market. As a leader, Nooh values creativity and being a good listener when trying to acquire local change.

 

• Hanna Kivimäki, 25, General Secretary, The Union of Local Youth Councils, Helsinki, Finland
  Hanna Kivimäki, they, Inclusion activist and Secretary General of the Union of Local Youth Councils in Finland, works to advocate for better youth participation on a local and national level. In this role, Hanna empowers people to take part in conversations, activism and democracy. Recently they have started their own company to train organizations and companies about equality, equity and youth participation. As a leader, Hanna values diversity, humanity, empathy and justice. Through these values, they strive to be selfless and make sure other people are heard, for the general wellbeing of all underprivileged people.

 

• Nagin Ravand, 22, Coach, Vatanspor Football Club, Aarhus, Denmark
  Nagin Ravand is an independent football coach and activist, who has been engaged in several football clubs where she develops meaningful projects that seek to empower girls and women with minority backgrounds to take part in the fellowship that football offers. Using football as a tool, she builds bridges for people with different ethnical backgrounds, while also inspiring young females to hold on to their religion, culture and values when chasing their dreams. Today, she is an ambassador for several organisations and lectures about how football can be used to foster integration. As a leader, Nagin values inclusiveness and empowerment, with the goal of one day coaching the National Women’s football team of Afghanistan.

 

• Anna Sonde, 15 Kristín Reynisdóttir, 18 & Valgerður Kehinde Reynisdóttir, 18, Anti-racist activists, Antirasistarnir, Reykjavik, Iceland
  Anna Sonde, Kristín Reynisdóttir, and Valgerður Reynisdóttir, anti-rasist activists, are jointly nominated for their work to educate people about racism and discrimination in Iceland. Through their project Antirasistarnir, driven on Instagram, they enhance the understanding of racism and xenophobia. On the platform, they share stories, lessons, facts and advice to highlight enhance awareness about these social issues. The project was initiated as a response to the racism and discrimination that all three of them had encountered and has now become a popular community for both parents and youths to seek inspiration. As leaders, all three value being good listeners and communicators in order to get one’s message through. Using these qualities themselves, they hope to create a more tolerant and inclusive Icelandic society.

 

• Marek Azoulay, 25, Front person in Mino Youth Copenhagen, Debater, Dancer and Activist, Copenhagen, Denmark
  Marek Azoulay is a dancer, debater and activist who works to enhance the local community through various civil society engagements in and around Copenhagen. Amongst others, Marek is engaged as front person in Mino Youth in Copenhagen and dancer in Whacking Wednesdays. Through this, he has been a part of organising festivals, democratic debates and launched various initiatives aimed to enhance democratic self-confidence amongst youths. As a leader, he values dialogue, care and respect. Through these values, Marek tries to create more safe spaces for youths and enhance their ability to be a part of the democratic conversation.

 

• Seqininnguaq Poulsen, 20, Artist, Indigenous Rights Activist, Founder of LGBT Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
  Seqininnguaq Qitura Poulsen, they, is a Greenlandic Inuk artist, Indigenous rights activist and Instagram influencer. Seqininnguaq’s work in art and activism is very much focused on mental health, decolonization and revitalization of Indigenous cultures and languages. Drawing on their  own experiences, they have amongst others participated in the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, where they have published a book alongside co-workers at the Global Indigenous Youth Caucus. As a leader, they highlight the ability to be understanding, supportive and have the courage to take unique but sometimes unpopular choices. Their hope is to cast more light on mental health and Indigenous rights, through the creation of online information and workshops, to enhance the wellbeing of Indigenous people in Greenland.

 

• Souhail Benaouisse Abdeddaim, 23, Playmaker & Zone-coordinator, GAME NGO, Copenhagen, Denmark
  Souhail Abdeddaim, Playmaker and zone-coordinator, works to create positive communities for young people living in vulnerable areas. Growing up with Moroccan parents in a residential area categorized as vulnerable in Denmark, he relates to the identity crisis that many young immigrants encounter – and often draws on these experiences when working with youths. As project coordinator in GAME Næstved, he has helped building bridges between agencies and institutions to create better local communities. Additionally, Souhail is also engaged in the National Platform for Street Sports, which supports street sport projects throughout Denmark. As a leader, he stresses being accessible and motivating. Practicing these qualities, he aims to create stronger and healthier communities for young people in Denmark.