6.11.2019
- This is the first documentary in Croatia about the role of STEM knowledge and skills in the development of society
- The main protagonists are young creatives who, through their attitudes and successes, break down prejudices deeply rooted in our society
- Many representatives of relevant associations and entrepreneurs, public figures, and representatives of institutions supporting the creation of better education opportunities in Croatia visited the premiere.
Hrvatski Telekom premieres “Generation of inspirations” documentary
The attractive space of the Kaptol Boutique Cinema in Zagreb hosted the premier of the film “Generation Inspiration”, the first Croatian documentary to break the prejudices young people face when engaging in STEM activities. Through authentic success stories and world views of the main protagonists of this documentary, Hrvatski Telekom highlights opportunities opened up by the latest technologies, whether in preparing young people for the jobs of the future or empowering them for the prosperity of the entire society. The premiere brought together many representatives of state and educational institutions, associations, employers, and numerous public figures who, through their actions and attitudes, support and create more opportunities for better education in Croatia.
“Generation Inspiration" intertwines the thinking and attitudes of young participants in the Generation NOW donation program by showing how STEM skills in schools have a positive impact on various aspects of their lives, the lives of their families, and the communities in which they live. They are girls and boys from different backgrounds, of different traits and interests, and the thing they share is that they use the latest knowledge and technologies, think critically about the world around them, develop their creativity, and are incredibly successful in doing so. Also, they break down prejudice which are deeply rooted in our society, showing that boys and girls are equally successful in STEM sciences, that competences in this field are not reserved exclusively for the IT sector, that children with this knowledge are often favored in society, and how, regardless of whether they live in small towns or big cities, they have equal opportunities for success and development, thanks to the many opportunities available today.
Also, reputable experts gave their opinions on this topic.Lidija Kralj, Assistant Minister for Science and Education, speaks here about the applicability of STEM knowledge and skills in all sectors, emphasizes technology as a key segment in equalizing opportunities for all, and points out: “Jobs of the future are the jobs for both girls and boys equally. No pinks, no blues. The advantage of technology is that it gives everyone an equal chance.”
Along with Ms. Kralj, doc. Nina Pavlin-Bernardić, Ph. D., Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zagreb, gives her expert overview. Drawing on a plethora of scientific research, Pavlin-Bernardić talks about how practicing STEM sciences, encouraging children from the earliest ages to think critically about the world around them, and address challenges with the help of technology are good for their development. She also points out that it is the parents who, even unintentionally, impose specific interests on their children from an early age: “There is still a stereotype in society that the STEM is more for men. When parents buy toys for girls, they will buy more dolls, less something related to science, electronics, lego cubes, etc. They will buy this more for the boys. And so throughout life, in fact, children adopt some values that this area is more for men.”
“By bringing the latest knowledge and technology to educational institutions, we have been successfully creating equal opportunities for better education throughout Croatia for years. With this documentary we also remove all prejudices so that every child in Croatia has equal access to the values of the Generation NOW program, which is important for their development and success. We are proud to educate a generation of young people today who already are changing the world for the better, and at the same time they are role models that inspire the whole society,” said Nina Išek Međugorac, Director of the Corporate Communications Department of Hrvatski Telekom and lead initiator of the Generation NOW program.
Nina Išek Međugorac with the film's protagonists
The filming took place all over Croatia, all under the baton of Siniša Josip Starčević, an award-winning director and producer known for a series of inspirational documentary formats shot for the European Commission, various international events, and multinational companies.
Generation NOW is a donation program implemented by Hrvatski Telekom in cooperation with the Institute for Youth Development and Innovation. Over four years, more than HRK 4 million has been invested in preparing young people for the jobs of the future, and more than 300 educational institutions across Croatia are in the program. With the “Generation Inspiration” documentary, as well as a series of activities within the donation program, Hrvatski Telekom emphasizes the importance of investing in better education for all school-age groups - to successfully navigate life without missing out on the opportunities provided by the latest technology.
From November 6, the “Generation of Inspirations” documentary is available for free at MAXtv Video Store, and also on Hrvatski Telekom’s YouTube channel at Generation Inspiration