Changing the Paradigm to Social Capital by NTG I Care Ambassador Inge Andersen
Nextgen Neighbor Network is a non-profit initiative that has created visual branding around social capital, rewarding children and youth for their contributions to social responsibility - using sport as a vehicle for integration, inclusion and belonging for all, especially families in low income areas. At the core foundation lies a social capital driven ecosystem that unites schools, culture, sports clubs and volunteers from grassroots to elite athletes, activating I care. Ambassadors spanning from 10 - 90 years of age - bridging generations, fostering trust and reinforcing the values that define strong communities. Through SUPER Role Models (aka professional athletes) children are provided physical role models in their everyday life instead of digital influencers from their social media and smartphones. With these trusted relationships within their local sustainable ecosystem, professional athletes act as valuable community builders where children are validated for their social capital early on in life.
At the heart of NNN is our I care. Ambassador, Mr Inge Andersen. A true gentleman consistently demonstrating a refreshing absence of ego and self-interest. He travels the world to champion and advocate for children's rights in sport, placing their well-being, inclusion, and development at the center of his efforts. Coming from a family of nine siblings and raised by parents who were deeply committed to volunteerism, Mr. Inge Andersen has firsthand experience of how the Norwegian sports model operates. His background has given him a genuine understanding of the value of community engagement, volunteer-driven sport, and the role these principles play in fostering participation for life and continuous development.
Making An International Impact
Over the past two years, the NextGen Neighbor Network’s visual branding has expanded across Norway, bringing awareness to the country's alarmingly high national dropout rate among children in sports. As part of the solution, we are engaging locally anchored super role models in sports and our branded “I care. Campaign” at both the elite sports and local grass roots levels to bring the spotlight on social capital, integration, and belonging with sport as a vehicle for growth and development.
Mr Inge Andersen invited the NextGen Neighbor Network to partner with Norges Toppidrettsgymnas (NTG) to create the NTG I care. Scholarship and NTG I care. Ambassador program. The scholarship is designed for young people who demonstrate high social capital, contribute to their local community, along with having a capacity to care for others regardless of their background, parental involvement, or personal challenges.
Children’s rights in sports advocate and NTG’s Chairman of the Board, Mr Inge Andersen has played a crucial role with implementing the scholarship across NTG’s 14 locations across Norway, along with NextGen Neighbor Network Founder,Louise Mohn. Both Mohn and Andersen along with their teams also recently launched the groundbreaking initiative of the Girls’ Academy (Jenteakademiet) in Tromsø, Norway — a collaboration between TIL Women, NTG Tromsø, and NTG Junior High School supported by research from UiT The Arctic University of Norway that seeks to create stronger opportunities for girls, while redefining how sport can contribute to health, education, belonging, and personal development.
Inge Andersen: A Champion For Youth In Sports
Inge Andersen holds a special place in Norwegian sports history and advancing children’s rights in sports. His extraordinary background includes serving as the Sports Director for both the Norwegian Ski Federation and the Swiss Ski Federation, as well as 13 years as Secretary General of the Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sport. Today, he is the Chair of the Board at Norges Toppidrettsgymnas (NTG), and a Senior Consultant at First House, while continuing his dedication for youth belonging in sports by being an active “I care. Ambassador” for the NextGen Neighbor Network.
In the 1990’s, Inge was one of the architects for developing young skiers, and then within 13 years starting in 2004, he further developed THE CHILDREN’S RIGHTS IN SPORTS and the PROVISIONS ON CHILDREN SPORTS, while General Assembly of NIF. THE CHILDREN’S RIGHTS IN SPORTS’ “Joy of Sports For All,” is a national motto in Norway as it emphasizes that all children regardless of gender, ethnic background, beliefs, sexual orientation, weight/physical development, disability, or parents involvement have the human right to participate.
The International Norwegian Impact
The CHILDREN’S RIGHTS IN SPORTS has been a significant game-changer for the performance driven sports culture of Norway and has caught the attention of The Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation (UOLF), a non-profit organization responsible for maintaining our Olympic facilities at world-class levels and using them to provide opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to watch, learn and excel in winter sports. Inspired by the success and momentum of the 2002 Salt Lake Olympic Winter Games, the Foundation has turned its focus toward embracing, engaging and involving Utah’s youth in winter sport.
Youth Winter Sport Conference
This week, Mr. Inge Andersen was personally selected to travel to Salt Lake City, Utah to deliver a keynote speech at the Youth Winter Sport Conference hosted by the Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation. Additional guests and panelists included:
Luke Bodensteiner – Chief of Sport, Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation (UOLF)
Jordan Kelly –United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee / Manager at Grassroots Pathways
Fraser Bullock – Executive Chair, Utah 2034 Committee
Colin Hilton – Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation (UOLF)
Tanja Kari – Director at TRAILS Adaptive Sports at the University of Utah Health’s global adaptive program
Al Smith – Utah State Dean
Pat Kelleher – Executive Director USA Hockey
Sophie Goldschmidt – President and CEO US Ski & Snowboard
Matt Farrell – CEO of US Figure Skating
Dani Aravich – Winter Paralympian
Calum Clark – COO Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation(UOLF)
Jim Olson – President of Smith Entertainment Group / Utah Jazz
The conference focused on strengthening Utah's youth winter sport ecosystem and leveraging the momentum of the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games to create a lasting impact for the next generation of athletes. The conference served as a big inspiration and kick-off for the entire US Olympic Committee as they gathered local and national experts together. The goal for the US Olympic Committee and Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games is to be the absolute best by 2034 especially since Salt Lake City, Utah will be hosting.
Sessions talked about high-quality youth sport programs, emphasizing long-term athlete development through COLLABORATION between grassroots participation to elite competition.
Panel discussions involved what has happened in Utah's winter sports since the 2002 Winter Games, and the role of partnerships in advancing youth participation and performance. Inge Andersen’s speech was a stand out as attendees also learned about Norway's highly celebrated sport model, gaining insight into their policies, culture, and importance of good coaching and role model athletes that contribute to its success.
As the NextGen Neighbor Network continues to expand its reach beyond Norway, Inge Andersen has built a legacy of leadership that many within the sports spectrum should take note from. As an NTG I care. Ambassador,Inge has ignited a conversation with clear societal impact solutions that can be implemented into sports culture around the world through joint collaboration by community efforts, key sports commercial stakeholders, and responsible adults.
