Nine youth organizations have received the chance to develop Between Generations projects. They were awarded the projects by representatives of Technology P.E.I. and KenNet. The nine youth organizations are: Vernon River CAP Site, Wellington Boys and Girls Club, East Prince Youth Development Centre, Morell Allied Youth, Carrefour Infotech, The Viking Lodge Youth Club, O'Leary Youth Centre, The Keir Museum Youth Club and the O'Leary Area Development Corporation.
Between Generations initiative offers youth an opportunity to interact with other generations in their community through the use of technology. Between Generations is a special initiative sponsored by Technology P.E.I. under its strategic mandate to increase community preparedness for the new knowledge-based economy. In round one of the program, six youth organizations from across Prince Edward Island received funding to construct their sites..
Between Generations focuses on bringing youth together with other generations to discuss historically significant events and create Web sites based on these events. Through this collaborative effort, local traditions and history are shared, discussed and maintained electronically. Between Generations will help youth in developing new skills such as web creation and interviewing skills.
"It's very important for young people to feel comfortable around technology and to see it's practical application," said Mike Currie, Minister of Development and Technology. "This gives young Islanders a chance to learn and to show the world what they can do."
Applicants to the program must be a recognized youth group or be affiliated with a youth group. Funding to a maximum of $5000 will be provided to the group for the purposes of equipment purchases, staffing, or other expenditures necessary to complete the work.
In July 1999, a pilot project under the Between Generations initiative began in Abram Village. A youth club in the community spent the summer collaborating with local veterans from the Wellington Legion to establish a permanent tribute to the memories of the war experience. The site was launched last fall at www.peicaps.org/generations. It is anticipated that through the extension of this initiative many more successful projects such as the one in Abram Village will be launched.