NOORDWIJK, Netherlands, May 8 /PRNewswire/ -- How is the young, multicultural vanguard doing in the Netherlands? For four years, de Baak Management Centrum VNO-NCW met with successful, bicultural role models during three editions of the Inspiration for Integration contest. On May 16, de Baak will reveal its findings, and jury chairman Alexander Rinnooy Kan will announce who will be "Inspirator 2008."

Organizing the Inspiration for Integration (IVI) contest enabled us to gain valuable knowledge about the multicultural breeding ground. De Baak will share this knowledge on the final evening. IVI is about bicultural and Dutch entrepreneurs (mainly 20-40 years old) who want to use their unique projects to inspire society to "make the impossible possible" for everyone in the Netherlands. Diversity is an added value, and the adage is "YOU can make the difference."

Away with the "token foreigner"

The winner of IVI 2008 will be announced on May 16. The winner can, just like the American presidential candidate Obama, play a leading role in promoting diversity in Dutch organizations. It will become clear during the evening why bicultural talents think that the "token foreigner" should go and why it is time for new visions on equal opportunity.

2008: Power women

Among the attendees will be HRH Princess Máxima and European Commissioner Neelie Kroes, who will officially open the evening. The theme of IVI 2008 is "diversity in a broad sense." This includes attention for female talent ("gender diversity") in addition to bicultural talent. IVI works with ZZVN (Zwarte Zaken Vrouwen Nederland ; Black Business Women in the Netherlands) and Women Inc to promote female talent.

Personal mission

IVI was organized under the leadership of Yesim Candan. Four years ago she wrote a letter to Prime Minister Balkenende and received his support for this project. Candan's personal mission is aimed at closing the gaps by removing prejudices. On May 16, you will find out if she succeeded.

Cocktail

IVI 2008 will conclude with a cocktail in the Knights' Hall in The Hague. Employers and professionals in the governmental, political and business communities will meet Holland's new vanguard during the "walking dinner." Guest speakers, including "the world's youngest CEO" Suhas Gopinath, will talk about the importance of diversity in the (Dutch) labor market. Like previous years, the theme of the evening is knowledge and cultural discoveries.

Tickets sales

People who want to experience "Diversity" in real life rather than on paper can order tickets for the IVI Cocktail Party 2008 by filling out the registration form at http://www.inspiratievoorintegratie.nl. The price of a ticket is EUR100 per person.

For more information about IVI, see http://www.inspiratievoorintegratie.nl

Press contact: Yesim Candan, Telephone: +31-6-47084444, y.candan@debaak.nl; De Baak Noordwijk, Koningin Astridboulevard 23, 2202 BJ Noordwijk, Tel.: +31(0)71-3690422, E-mail: info-ivi@debaak.nl; General contact: Esther Hartman, Telephone: +31(0)71-369-0422, e.hartman@debaak.nl