Nokia today launched a global partnership with the International Youth Foundation (IYF) aimed at improving the lives of young people worldwide through education. Called "Make a Connection," the program will provide opportunities and skills to connect young people with peers, families and communities. This effort continues Nokia's ongoing commitment to socially responsible initiatives.
During the first year of "Make a Connection," Nokia will invest 2.5 million euros and focus on four countries: China, Mexico, South Africa and the U.K. Designed around the "Make a Connection" theme, the programs in these countries will address specific needs of youth in each community.
For example, in Mexico, disadvantaged children will be provided with opportunities to connect with schools and family members; in South Africa, young people will be taught the life skills they need to secure employment; and in China, students will have increased opportunities to develop their creativity. As part of the program, Nokia and IYF will create volunteer opportunities for Nokia employees worldwide.
"In the future that Nokia's business is shaping, people will have the technology to communicate anytime, anywhere," said Jorma Ollila, Nokia's chairman and CEO. "Helping young people improve their skills, knowledge and connections to society is a natural outgrowth of Nokia's business, vision and values."
Working through regional and local partner organizations, IYF provides funding to increase the effectiveness, scale and sustainability of youth development programs with a proven track record. The IYF global network currently includes non-governmental institutions in 24 countries, with plans to expand to 60 countries by the year 2003.
Nokia executives will play an active role with IYF and its partners. They will help select the programs to support, identify roles for employee volunteers and gauge the effectiveness of the efforts.
"We are thrilled to work with Nokia - and its employees - to connect young people worldwide with their peers and caring adults, and provide vital opportunities for youth to learn and contribute to their communities," said Rick Little, IYF's founder and president.
According to Little, "Young people in the 21st century live in a time of great hope and complex challenges. Globalization and the information age are creating an environment where mastery of 'life skills' - cultural tolerance, conflict resolution, financial management and planning for the future - is essential."
Nokia is committed to having a positive impact on society that extends beyond the advanced technology, products and services the company creates. Through its partnership 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. Nokia has been an active regional contributor to youth and education causes for many years.
Nokia is paving the way to the mobile information society with its innovative products and solutions.
The company is the leading mobile phone supplier and a leading supplier of mobile, fixed and IP networks, related services as well as multimedia terminals. In 1999, net sales totaled EUR 19.8 billion (USD 19.9 billion). Headquartered in Finland, Nokia is listed on the New York (NOK), Helsinki, Stockholm, London, Frankfurt and Paris stock exchanges and employs more than 55 000 people.
Founded in 1990, IYF (www.iyfnet.org) 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's needs. It does so by drawing on the expertise of a worldwide network of partner organizations to ensure that the best programs are identified and expanded. In its work with more than 160 companies, foundations, and nongovernmental organizations worldwide, IYF is devoted to building in-depth strategic partnerships among the business, public, and civil society sectors.
Further information:
Kimmo Lipponen, Manager, Corporate Citizenship
Tel. +358 9 1807 492
Fax +358 9 655 196
David Stoneham, Senior Manager, Communications, UK
Tel. +44 1252 865 209
Fax +44 1252 865 081
www.nokia.com