I Have a Dream
Information for the Press

Funds to Realize Dreams

Norway's Royal Department of Church, Education, and Research gives Kidlink another NOK 400,000 (US$ 47,000) to develop the I Have a Dream educational program, and for Kidlink's operations in general. In December last year, they funded development of the program's first three modules with NOK 300,000 (US$ 35,000).

I Have a Dream aims at helping kids and youth realize their dreams about their future and a better world, and help teachers provide enhanced learning experiences in schools.

"For over 10 years, Kidlink has helped kids and youth around the world get friends and develop friendships through the Internet." says executive director Odd de Presno.

"To join our free services, all youth participants must answer four questions presenting themselves and their views and dreams for the future. Typically, they have dreams about ecology, peace and equality, hunger and poverty, safety, respect and love. However, they often feel powerless regarding what they can do now to make a difference."

With I Have a Dream, de Presno wants to help them do something now, - but without guidelines or examples that would lead them into specific "adult tracks" or ways of thinking. In short, the program invites teams of kids to create projects to realize a common dream. For example, one team's dream project might be about peace. They might want to set up a dialog between kids in countries at war. Procuring computers and access to the net might be challenging parts of their plan.

Kidlink provides an infrastructure, and through the lesson plans, questions and hints designed to help structure their work. Planning and implementation support is provided by adult coaches, like teachers, parents, and others.

"Teachers connect their students' work to the curriculum, in language arts, geography, social sciences, and what have you," explains de Presno. "Their students will require knowledge to realize their dreams. The program motivates teachers and students to work together."

Lesson plan development will continue until the end of the year. The first cycle of I Have a Dream will be able to start in classrooms sometime next year.