MEDIA | NEWS ARTICLES
Over the last 5 years the Awards programme has generated
considerable media attention. By profiling the Awards programme,
and the individual winning projects, Childnet hopes to encourage
"best practice" and draw attention to the individual
winning projects.
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22 February 2004
Plasma Wins!
Plasma Rag magazine has announced success in securing
a place in the Cable and Wireless Childnet Academy competition
after a five week judging period in the United Kingdom.
The publication had entered the competition in 2003, which
aims to provide specialist support, leadership training
and technical advice to a group of the best young web developers
from across the globe.
A special young panel and team of International judges
sifted through some 250 entires from 40 different countries
to pick a final 12 winning projects from countries including
Australia, Ireland, Holland, USA, Taiwan, UK, Jamaica and
Italy. Winners receive an all expenses paid trip to London
in April to attend the week long event and also receive
a substantial sum for online development.
The winners of the annual competition are considered the
best of the best; the young online entrepreneurs of tomorrow.
Traveling to London for the academy means learning valuable
skills in the industry that inevitably lead toward development
and growth. The specialist workshops cover a range of Internet
topics, including writing for the web, marketing and media
training. Individual sessions relevant to each project will
also be provided.
Plasma Rag Editor and CEO Shannon Molloy said the competition
win was a complete surprise. According to Shannon, the magazine
has been involved in development judging before, but has
previously been unacceptable.
"The comment we have received in the past from grant
submissions hinted that Plasma wasn't at a stage where
we could be considered serious players. But now, I think
this is the appreciation we need to instill a heavy dose
of motivation and pride!"
The competition will bring together twelve young people
from across the globe, from as young as ten and as old as
eighteen. The projects are from a diverse field, and include
the web site of a 16-year-old named Frank, whom was sparked
to make a change in the world after visiting an African
orphanage and two schools with his family. Frank felt compelled
to raise much needed funds for the village of Ukunda, and
initiated a web site as a result. The web site not only
campaigns to raise essential finance for the people of Ukunda,
but acts as a tool for awareness.
Another Australian group who have won a place at the academy
come in the form of a group of young women from an all-girls
school in Tasmania. The students have developed a web site
to provide examples of women who are and were major stakeholders
in our society. The site includes user-interactive areas
like forums and polls, which allow young people to express
their opinions and share their ideas. The site serves as
a way in which young women can gain awareness and inspiration.
Commenting on the other prize winners, Mr Molloy said he
was looking forward to meeting others who played an important
role in Internet development. He was also especially excited
about another Australian group attending.
"I think it's just amazing that such an opportunity
exists, allowing young people from all walks of life to
come together and share ability, skill and enthusiasm.
I can't wait to meet everyone," he said.
Throughout the week, participants will be given access
to an extensive team of Internet experts and mentors drawn
from the field of education, business and public and voluntary
sectors. Participants will also gain ideas and inspiration
from previous academy winners. The April event is expected
to draw substantial media attention from UK press and the
local press in winner's home countries.
The development prize money will provide much needed finance
for Plasma Rag, enabling new programs that will benefit
a range of readers. Without revealing any current plans,
Mr Molloy said the changes would be monumental and very
exciting for everyone. Initial brainstorming touched on
expanding existing programs also, including the Creative
Awareness Initiative and New Writers program. As yet no
other information has been released.
"The money is, of course, just amazing! It means
that so much can be done that was previously unattainable
due to our non-existent budget. The possibilities are
very exciting, and readers can expect to notice enermous
change very soon!"
Mr Molloy said he would be attending the week long conference
in London, and looked forward to being actively involved
in all happenings of the workshops. He said the prospect
of such a feet had not fully settled in yet.
"I had a heart attack when I found out; I couldn't
believe it! I had to continue reading it over and over
again, until finally I digested the pure shock of it all."
"Because the announcement wasn't made immediately,
I had to keep the news to myself. It was very difficult,
because I wanted to share my excitement with everyone!
It's all just such a shock, and I'm simply ecstatic!"
Plasma Rag has plans to cover the London trip in a mini-series,
as well as documenting other academy winners in individual
features.
1999
| 2000 | 2001
| 2002 | 2003
| 2004 | 2005 |