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The good news is that people across the gion-level programs that focus on youth in-
world are seeing how the GIFT experience has novation presentations mostly from a specific
changed students’ lives and futures, and they region, country, or specific customer network.
want to be involved. NIFTs can also maintain an international flair
The not-so-good news is that the program with co-hosts and select guests participating
has proven so impactful and has become so from outside of the NIFT country.
popular that the quarterly events fill quickly, The goal of a NIFT, just like the global pro-
and in some cases, presentations need to gram, is to provide an online, multi-country
be deferred to the next quarterly event. This collaboration, celebrating young innovators
concerns us greatly because we strive to and those who educate, inspire, and sponsor
keep this platform accessible to all. innovation, most often in their home coun-
The great news and in keeping with our mis- try, in surrounding territories, and sometimes
sion, we are ready to take the next step in outside of their country within their organiza-
celebrating students around the world, creat- tion’s footprint.
ing greater opportunity, by inviting like-mind- Just as with the GIFT program, the NIFT rais-
ed organizations to be a part of this proven es the students, schools, educators, and pro-
model through the National Innovation Field gram leader’s profiles with parents, admin-
Trips (NIFTs). istrators, higher education, and government
NIFTs are feeder programs to the Global In- agencies. They are no longer just presenting
novation Field Trip (GIFT). Born out of the to their school, community, or local govern-
high demand from around the world for en- ment; they now experience national and po-
try/ participation into the quarterly GIFTs, the tentially global-level attention if advanced to
NIFT programs establish country-level or re- the GIFT.

IFIA Magazine Septeber 2023

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