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Corporate Social Responsibility
News
4.26.2004 ET
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Youth Leaders Around The World Advocate Their Causes Through Nokia-Funded Website
YouthActionNet.org Promotes Vital Role of Youth in Leading Positive Social Change
(CSRwire) To build on its existing momentum and spur the growth of youth
leadership and activism worldwide, YouthActionNet.org today launched a
substantially expanded website, with a host of interactive features. The
new, technologically sophisticated, user-friendly site offers young people
a range of tools for strengthening their work and stimulating public
awareness--and action-- around the issues they care about.
Launched in 2001 by the International Youth Foundation (IYF) and Nokia,
YouthActionNet celebrates the vital role youth play in leading positive
change throughout the world. Among the new site's features are:- A
"make your own web page" function enabling youth leaders to publicize
their work and launch action-oriented campaigns
- A global awards program through which accomplished youth leaders may
apply for US$500 grants
- A featured YouthActionNet "visionary" of the month
- An action toolkit including resources to help youth leaders raise
money and work with the media
- A monthly quiz aimed at testing visitors' knowledge of current global
issues
- An interactive forum that lets visitors exchange ideas and collaborate
in addressing key challenges in their communities
"The YouthActionNet
community is made up of thousands of youth leaders worldwide who are
addressing some of the most urgent issues of our time, including violence,
discrimination, HIV/AIDS, environmental destruction, human rights abuses,
and homelessness," said Ashok Regmi, Manager of the YouthActionNet program
within IYF. "This new site is a reflection of direct feedback from
YouthActionNet award winners in close to 30 countries. These young leaders
want greater visibility for their efforts and the tools to mobilize others
in support of their work to address urgent social challenges."
Martin Sandelin, Nokia's Senior Vice President of Marketing, agrees that
the site fills a critical niche. "We're extremely excited about the role
YouthActionNet plays in offering young people a virtual medium through
which to exchange ideas and strengthen their outreach efforts. Young
people represent a powerful force for positive change in the world. We
need to give them every opportunity to express their voices and be heard."
YouthActionNet is part of the Make a Connection program, a global
initiative of IYF and Nokia to provide opportunities for young people to
connect to their communities, to their families and peers, and to
themselves. Visit the new site at: www.youthactionnet.org.
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. To learn more, visit: 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 and territories,
IYF and its partners have helped millions of young people gain the skills,
training, and opportunities critical to their success. More information
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. For further information, see: www.nokia.com.
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