Objective

The International Fair was created to provide a platform in which teenagers can develop business skills allowing them to gain knowledge and experience along with raising money for a variety of their causes. This gives the teenagers a feeling of self worth and confidence, and a very beneficial insight into future careers. It will create long-term sustainable partnerships between teenagers in Dublin and those in other countries.

Pilot Project 2007

Six groups have been chosen in Dun Laoghaire Rathdown, Co. Dublin. As the International Fair is being used as a template for future projects it is important to pilot not only after school community groups but also secondary schools. Also nine schools have been chosen in nine different countries around the world, these are being twinned with the groups in Dublin. In order for this project to be a success both sets of groups must work together despite being thousands of miles apart. The countries which have been chosen are

Angola

China

Grenada (West Indies)

Kenya

Uganda

Philippines

St. Vincents and the Grenadines

The project begins with all countries working together with Children’s Hope to develop a partnership, which will support the teenagers in Dublin and around the world. This established we took part in The Festival of World Cultures in Dun Laoghaire on Saturday 25th & Sunday 26th August, with the purpose of raising seed capital, The money raised from this event will be sent to each of the nine countries.

Upon receiving this seed capital the teenagers must use it to develop or buy products identified with their region. This is done for two reasons 1.It allows their country and culture to be promoted at the International Fair. 2.It brings money into their local communities.

It was important that they put thought into their product development as it is these products that would be sold at the International Fair and would influence the sales which in turn determines the money they will receive. The products also have the ability to create awareness of their country, culture and community which is of great benefit to all those involved, it is very special when a consumer can take a bit of your country home with them. The groups had from the end of September to the middle of November to produce their products and have them sent to Dublin. We enlisted the assistance of Embassies to ship products and promote each country.

The groups in Dublin from the middle of September began developing a business around the countries that they are twinned with. The focus for each group will be on building a successful business from the ground up with the end result being The International Fair early December. The money raised at the fair will be evenly distributed to all groups both here and around the world. Aspects of business the teenagers will learn are

Creating a Business Plan

Business Structure

Marketing

Public Relations

Financial Planning

Risk Management

Team Building

Sales

Research

Event Management

In order for the teens to get maximum benefit from this project and gain a full understanding of the business world, each group will be given a Mentor who will guide them through the project. There are many aspects to the business world and this will provide an even playing field for all teenagers thus allowing them to find their niche. This project is designed to provide career guidance and much needed funding. It can be developed in any country around the world allowing teenagers everywhere to help one another. Education is the key to improving their prospects be it in learning how to create products for export or building a business the outcome is still the same, each teenager regardless of their ability or background has gained knowledge, confidence, friendship and financial assistance, a good foundation for our future generations.

On an International Level this project has enrolled the help of the public & private sector, NGO’s, High Commissions and Embassies ensuring the greatest of support for the Teenagers and a platform from which The International Fair can be used in other countries to benefit more Projects and Children.

Summary Children’s Hope will produce a full report on the International Fair project with a view to outlining what was achieved, the benefits to the children here and in the other countries, the feasibility of the project in general, how it can implemented in other countries. Many of the countries that we will deal with already produce and sell products as a means of raising money for their schools. As this is end of the project is well tested we will look at the quality of the goods with the view to a long term import business with a specific non profit business set up by Children’s Hope selling such items with the income supporting local and international groups.

The International Fair itself was held in Dun Laoghaire Institute for Art, Design and Technology on Saturday 1st December 2007 and was a tremendous success. We would like to thank our Sponsors

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Enterprise Board

Southside Partnership

Institute for Art, Design & Technology

We would also like to thank the following Individuals, Organisations, High Commissions and Embassies for their support.

Congratulations to our Friends Around the World for their participation in The International Fair