The High Tech Youth Network (HTYN) has received funding from the Adobe Foundation.

The donation, comprising $75, 000 in addition to over $250,000 in licenses, scholarships, summits and industry certification, is for the youth of New Zealand and the Pacific.

The funding will enable students to use digitally inspiring video, print and audio to creatively communicate a vision for change in their lives and communities.

Since 2007 New Zealand’s High Tech Youth Network has been part of the Adobe Youth Voices (AYV) programme. The Corporate Responsibility arm of the Adobe Corporation is the Adobe Foundation, which operates through the AYV programme.

The AYV programme not only develops remarkable talent in youth, but also enables technology to be used as a powerful tool for youth to express themselves in a positive way, says Kane Milne, Director of Learning at HTYN.

The AYV programme has proven track record of empowering over 33,500 young people in 55 countries around the world.

Veisinia Ha’unga is an alumni of the High Tech Youth Network who is now studying a Bachelor of Education at the University of Auckland. This year she was selected as an international judge for the annual global Adobe awards.

Ha’unga says that working in the AVY programme equipped her with the knowledge and confidence to dream big dreams. Her local HTYN was ‘Studio 274’ in Otara, and it was there that she found support from caring and inspirational adult mentors.

Milne says his team has been able to increase their capacity thanks to the support of the Adobe Foundation. This year they are training teachers in schools, and also providing recognised industry Adobe credentials to teachers and youth.