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Corporate Social Responsibility
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3.29.2004 ET
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Nokia And IYF Expand Global Youth Development Program
With 17 Countries Active and More than US $15 million Invested to Date, Make a Connection to Expand Further Over Next Three Years
(CSRwire) San Francisco, CA - Nokia, a world leader in mobile communications,
and the International Youth Foundation (IYF) today announced a three-year
expansion of their global Make a Connection program. The
initiative, first launched in April 2000, has directly benefited more than
100,000 participating youth worldwide and indirectly benefited another 1.3
million people in the communities where these young people live. With
this new agreement the program, currently active in 17 countries, could be
expanded to a total of 30 countries over the next three years.
Nokia’s commitment, representing more than US$15 million to date,
will continue to grow. The announcement was made during Boston
College’s annual Corporate Citizenship Conference in San Francisco.
”We are firmly committed to making a positive contribution to the
communities in which we operate,” said Martin Sandelin,
Nokia’s Senior Vice President of Marketing. “Positive
life-skills development not only benefits the young people in these
programs, it also benefits the long-term development of the communities
and societies in which the young people are active. The focus Nokia and
IYF have on results has led to an outstanding track record from the first
four years, supporting our decision to expand the program
further.”
The initiative’s significant growth over the last four years is
attributed to Nokia’s long-standing commitment to innovative youth
programs and to IYF’s network of on-the-ground partner organizations
around the world that run Make a Connection programs locally. On the
global level, IYF and Nokia manage the initiative by providing program
governance, guidelines for operations, technical assistance and program
support. In each country, Nokia’s local staff provides technical
assistance and dedicated volunteers.
“The three-year extension of Make a Connection represents the very
best of strategic, effective collaboration,” said David W. Hornbeck,
President and CEO of IYF. “The program keeps youth at the forefront
and has benefited young people by utilizing local knowledge and expertise.
Both partners – Nokia and IYF – are deeply committed to
developing engaged, responsible citizens in communities
worldwide.”
From the beginning, Make a Connection has emphasized the development of
positive life skills, including self-confidence, responsibility and
teamwork. The initiative offers young people the opportunity to connect
with their peers, families, communities, and themselves through a series
of locally relevant activities. Programs include:
Make a Connection in Brazil, an outreach project in which more than
1,000 dedicated young adults and teachers are trained as reading mentors
to motivate thousands of disadvantaged and at-risk children and youth in
poor urban neighborhoods to pursue an education.
Make a Connection in South Africa, which offers an innovative
three-month training course to unemployed college graduates to build
self-confidence, improve teamwork and presentation skills, acquire basic
computer literacy, and learn how to find and keep a job.
Make a Connection in Canada, which strengthens the personal and social
skills of more than 15,000 Aboriginal youth by improving communication and
conflict resolution skills, instilling respect for others, and enabling
them to make healthy and informed choices about their lives.
Make a Connection in Poland, which supports youth volunteering
projects in three Polish provinces:
Young people develop and implement community service projects and acquire
leadership and life skills that enrich their lives and enhance their
chances in the job market.
Make a Connection in the Philippines, which provides leadership
training for indigenous youth, helping them develop life, leadership and
employment skills that enable them to relate effectively and live
productively in the culturally diverse society of the Philippines.
About Make a Connection
Make a Connection, launched in April 2000, is a global initiative of the
International Youth Foundation and Nokia to promote positive youth
development by giving young people an opportunity to make a connection to
their communities, to their families and peers, and to themselves. The
program improves young people's educational opportunities, teaches them
life skills and helps them make a positive contribution to their
societies. Programs are now up and running in 17 countries: Brazil,
Canada, China, the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Hungary, the Republic
of Korea, Mexico, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Russia, South Africa,
Thailand, Turkey, and the United Kingdom. More information on Make a
Connection can be found at www.makeaconnection.org.
About the International Youth Foundation
The International Youth Foundation (IYF) is dedicated to supporting
programs that improve the conditions and prospects for young people where
they live, learn, work, and play. Since its founding in 1990, IYF has
worked with hundreds of companies, foundations, and non-governmental
organizations to scale up existing programs and build long-term strategic
partnerships. Currently operating in nearly 60 countries, IYF and its
partners have helped millions of young people gain the skills, training
and opportunities critical to their success. More information on IYF can
be found at www.iyfnet.org.
About Nokia
Nokia is committed to having a positive impact on society that extends
beyond the advanced technology, products and services the company creates.
Through its cooperation with IYF and other regional philanthropic and
social responsibility programs, the company prepares young people to
embrace opportunities and possibilities created by the global economy and
new technological advancements. The company has been an active regional
contributor to youth and education causes for many years, with Nokia
employees making their own contributions as volunteers in a range of
programs throughout the world. More information on Nokia can be found at
www.nokia.com.
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