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Lucent Technologies supports International Youth Foundation's education, learning programs with US$14.9 million grant

Lucent Technologies supports International Youth Foundation's education, learning programs with US$14.9 million grant

Published 04-20-00

Submitted by Lucent Technologies, Inc.

As part of its efforts to provide the next generation of leaders with the educational opportunities necessary for future success, the Lucent Technologies Foundation announced today plans to expand its collaboration with the International Youth Foundation (IYF). Using a new $US14.9 million grant from Lucent, the IYF will provide increased access to training and development opportunities for educators and young people in 24 countries over the next four years.

For example, in Japan and Russia, educators will have the opportunity to develop and test school curriculum promoting critical thinking and interactive methods between students and teachers; in Poland, school teachers in rural areas will receive innovative training to help improve the quality of education; in Venezuela, girls from low-income backgrounds will receive life-skills education, vocational training and job placement support.

"Lucent Technologies' corporate social responsibility efforts are guided by a far-reaching vision to help prepare young people-in today's fast-changing world-to reach their highest potential," said Rick Little, founder and president of IYF. "We are honored to be working alongside Lucent in designing and implementing a global strategy aimed at realizing a vision for young people we both share."

"We're thrilled to be working with the IYF to address the critical educational needs of young people in countries around the world," said David Ford, president of the Lucent Technologies Foundation. "The IYF emerged as an ideal group with whom to work to meet our global objectives. They have a global network that is comprised of an outstanding array of institutions and people committed to strengthening and sustaining effective programs and services for young people."

The first phase of this program, launched in 1999 with Lucent support in the amount of $1.9 million, targeted Australia, Brazil, China, Japan, Mexico, the Philippines, Poland, Russia, the United Kingdom and Venezuela.

The second phase of the initiative, approved in January 2000, will provide support and services for young people in 14 additional countries. Lucent's support will be directed at effective programs related to educational reform, developing and supporting teachers, inspiring excellence in science and math, providing alternative education opportunities, and developing young leaders.

Working through its global network of partner organizations, the IYF will help direct Lucent support toward proven programs addressing urgent local needs.

In addition to making direct grants to local organizations that serve youths, Lucent support will be used to "scale up" effective programs to achieve national or regional-level impact.

Founded in 1990, IYF is dedicated to bringing worldwide support to the many exceptional local efforts that are changing young lives in every corner of the world. IYF works to increase the effectiveness, scale, and sustainability of proven approaches to meeting young people needs. It does so by drawing on the expertise of a worldwide network of partner organizations to ensure that the best programs and identified and expanded. In its work with more than 160 companies, foundations, and nongovernmental organizations worldwide, IYF is focused on building in-depth strategic partnerships among the business, public, and civil society sectors. Its Web site is www.iyfnet.org.

The Lucent Technologies Foundation is the charitable arm of Lucent Technologies. In Lucent's 2000 fiscal year, the foundation will contribute about US$50 million around the world toward youth development projects, including education reform, innovative work at the college and university level to support improvement of pre-college education, and scholarship programs that enhance opportunities in science and engineering for under-represented minorities. In addition, the foundation supports a diverse set of community improvement projects in communities where Lucent people work and live. The Global Days of Caring, an annual Lucent volunteer event, is also managed by the foundation with about 15,000 employees and retirees contributing their time to causes.

Lucent Technologies, headquartered in Murray Hill, N.J., USA, designs, builds and delivers a wide range of public and private networks, communications systems and software, data networking systems, business telephone systems and microelectronic components. Bell Laboratories is the research and development arm for the company. For more information on Lucent Technologies, visit its Web site at www.lucent.com.

Lucent Technologies, Inc.

Lucent Technologies, Inc.

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