NOKIA and Türkiye Egitim Gönüllüleri Vakfi (TEGV) today launched a joint project in Turkey aiming to develop the artistic talents and life skills of children and the young volunteers who will train them. The project, called 'Atelier of Dreams', is part of Nokia's global Make a Connection program in cooperation with the International Youth Foundation. Turkey is the 14th country to join Make a Connection.
Children from diverse economic, social and cultural backgrounds will attend creative workshops designed to help them connect to their peers as well as develop their self-esteem and communicative skills through art. The Atelier of Dreams project, scheduled to run for an initial three years, is expected to benefit nearly 800 volunteers and 40,000 children, and will take place at TEGV's nine current and two future Educational Parks throughout Turkey.
Speaking at a press conference to mark the event, Alessandro Fiorentino, Managing Director, Nokia Mobiles Phones Turkey said: "Nokia develops products and services that encourage communication and learning. We also want to contribute to the community and invest in our shared future. We have been present in Turkey for several years and we are happy to commit to a project that will contribute to the development of Turkish children and youth."
Cengiz Solakoglu, Chairman of the TEGV Board of Directors, said: "Our Educational Parks provide an informal environment for children to develop their creativity and skills. Atelier of Dreams will help children to become confident and empathetic community members, while cooperating with IYF and Nokia in Make a Connection will enable us to take this program to scale country-wide."
About Make A Connection
Make a Connection 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. Country programs are currently running in Brazil, Canada, China, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Poland, the Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey and the United Kingdom. More information on Make a Connection can be found at www.makeaconnection.org
About Türkiye Egitim Gönüllüleri Vakfi (TEGV)
TEGV is the most widespread educational NGO throughout Turkey, and creates at its centers an environment for the creative non-formal education of children and youth. TEGV has the support of more than 8.000 volunteers and 100.000 donors and widespread public recognition throughout Turkey. TEGV has provided educational support to over 300.000 children in the eight years since its foundation in 1995 in its 68 Educational Units in 33 cities, 9 Educational Parks and 15 Mobile Educational Units (Fireflies). More information on TEGV can be found at www.tegv.org
About International Youth Foundation
The International Youth Foundation (IYF) is one of the world's largest public foundations focused on children and youth. IYF is dedicated to supporting programs that improve the conditions and prospects for young people where they live, learn, work, and play. Since it 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 50 countries, IYF and its partners have helped more than 26 million 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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