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The Snorri Program -10 years - Historical Overview Future Perspective

The Snorri Program -10 years - Historical Overview Future Perspective. Almar Grímsson Ásta Sól Kristjánsdóttir Wanda Anderson INL-convention – Calgary 2008. Historical Overview. INL of Iceland revitalized October 9, 1997

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The Snorri Program -10 years - Historical Overview Future Perspective

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  1. The Snorri Program-10 years -Historical OverviewFuture Perspective Almar Grímsson Ásta Sól Kristjánsdóttir Wanda Anderson INL-convention – Calgary 2008

  2. Historical Overview • INL of Iceland revitalized October 9, 1997 • Agreement with Nordic Association – preparatory committee November .97- March .98 • Introduction at Millennium meeting April .98 • First Announcement at Gimli August .98 • First group arrives in1999 with financial support of the Millennium Commission in Iceland • Snorri Foundation established at INL- Iceland convention November .1999 • Board elected and Program Manager recruited 2000

  3. Historical Overview cont’d • Program continues in 2000 and onwards. 10th group arriving summer 2008 • Government of Iceland endorses the Program and gives continued support from 2002 • Snorri West starts in Manitoba 2001 • Snorri Alumni Association founded 2001 • Presentation at INL Convention in 2002 • Snorri Plus starts 2003 • Landsbanki Íslands becomes main sponsor 2007 • 10 years anniversary 2008

  4. “Snorri” in 1977 • Youth exchange organized by INL-Iceland in 1977 • Six young Canadians of Icelandic descent stayed in Iceland for 3 weeks connecting with their roots • Culture, visits, family, Icelandic language and travel • First and only trip of this kind until 1999

  5. About the ProgramsBrief Overview • Snorri Program: 6 weeks in Iceland for young people 18-28 years old • 2 weeks in Reykjavik: Language, Culture, Visits and Tours • 3 weeks with relatives & volunteering in a local community • 1 week traveling around Iceland: Nature, fun activities, Hofsos Emigration Center

  6. Snorri Plus • Started in 2003 • 2 weeks total: Week One in Reykjavik: Lectures, visits, Icelandic cuisine, meeting relatives, traveling & connecting with “work colleagues” • Week Two: Traveling to Hofsos and other places, meeting more relatives if possible

  7. Total number of participants • Snorri Program: 133 • Snorri Plus: 54 • Snorri West: 43 • Snorri Ontario: 2 • This year: • 14 Snorris • 15 Snorri Plus • 4 Snorri West • Total after 2008: 265 • All three programs = deeper and more meaningful connections

  8. Does the Snorri Program work? • Are the bonds getting stronger? • How can we measure the success?

  9. Snorri Survey 2006 • 88% said it didn’t matter whether they were 100% Icelandic ,½ , ¼ or less • 92% think their Icelandic roots are the most important • 100% believe that the programs are important in • 98% said they would not have gained as much if they had chosen to visit as an ordinary tourist • 48% didn’t find the Icelandic language to be an obstacle in communication , 38% thought it sometimes was and 14% believe it is a problem

  10. Snorri Survey cont’d • 12% have returned to Iceland after participating • 98% said they will be back; 2% said maybe • 96% are still in touch with their Icelandic relatives and/or friends in Iceland or other participants; 6% have lost touch • 86% engage in “Icelandic activities” – Language classes, Icelandic Club or other; 8% said the would like to and 6% didn’t have a chance to because of geographical location

  11. Future Perspective - Brazil • 37 Icelanders emigrated in 1863 and 1873 • 300 Icelanders waited for a ship that never arrived • Family names such as: Barddal, Reikdal, Joakinson and Joelson • Around 2,000 descendants in Curitiba as well as Rio de Janeiro and other places

  12. Future Perspective - Brazil • Interest for some time from Brazil • November 2007 – Tour to establish better connections • Group tour in November 2008 from INL-Iceland • Snorri-Brasil Program in 2009 - all ages

  13. Future Perspective - Brazil

  14. Snorri Sponsors • Icelandic Government since 2002 • Landsbanki main sponsor since 2007 • Icelandair - discount fares from the beginning • Work period sponsors: Municipality of Akureyri, Akranes, Egilsstadir and more • Canada-Iceland Foundation have sponsored all the Canadian participants since the start • Leif Eiriksson Club, Norðurljós in Edmonton and other clubs sponsor their members to participate • Sponsors needed to make the program work: all funding is used for the benefit of the Snorri participants themselves

  15. Snorri WestWanda Anderson • Idea born in Minneapolis1998 • Year 1 - Manitoba 2001 • Six Week Program • Number of Participants: 47

  16. Snorri WestWanda Anderson • Board Members • Volunteer Host Families • Sponsors

  17. Snorri WestWanda Anderson Mission Statement By focusing on cultural exchange Programs, like the Snorri Programs, we enhance The knowledge of our youth and make Certain the pride of our ancestry will Live on. In doing so, we continue to Strengthen ties between North America and Iceland.

  18. New website launched in 2009 www.snorri.is

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