The three-year program will offer teenagers tools to develop their confidence and creativity while equipping them with life skills such as teamwork, cooperation, conflict management and cultural understanding. Participation in Zest will encourage teenagers to identify and develop their personal talents as well as understand the importance of their own contribution to society.
Speaking at the event, education professor Kari Uusikylä, the intellectual mastermind of the Zest program, said: "While not all students excel academically or in sports, young people have their own unique strengths and talents. Helping Finnish youth identify and maximize their individual gifts is the goal of the Zest life-skills program."
Five young Finnish sports professionals; Veikka Gustafsson, Heli Koivula-Krüger, Samppa Lajunen, Jarkko Nieminen and Tiia Piili, have joined the Zest team. Serving as role models, they will visit schools and engage students with talks about their own experiences and their zest for life.
Martin Sandelin, Senior Vice President Nokia said: "Developed by educational experts, this program is powered by internationally acclaimed athletes. Through their own stories, they communicate the power of every individual to achieve his or her dreams."
About Zest
Developed by the Finnish Children and Youth Foundation, together with education professor Kari Uusikylä and head coach Ari Tammivaara, the Zest program targets 13- to 15-year-olds, providing them with life-skills education and their teachers with training in how to implement a customized life-skills curriculum. The program offers young people tools to develop their confidence and creativity, while equipping them with life skills such as teamwork, cooperation, conflict management and cultural understanding. As part of the Zest program, five acclaimed Finnish sports professionals visit schools, giving talks on life skills. Youth also have access to life-skills tools on a special program website. More information on Zest can be found at www.zest.fi
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, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Mexico, the Philippines, Poland, South Africa, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey, and the United Kingdom. More information on Make a Connection can be found at www.makeaconnection.org
About the Finnish Children and Youth Foundation
The Finnish Children and Youth Foundation was founded in 2001. The foundation's mission is to develop and support high-quality youth programs aimed at prevention, working in co-operation with partner organizations. The foundation offers both corporations and non-profit organizations possibilities to jointly create premises for a sound and balanced basis in the lives of today's young people. The Foundation is part of the International Youth Foundation's global network that operates in 60 countries. More information on the Finnish Children and Youth Foundation can be found at www.slns.org
About the 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 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 more than 30 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 through 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
Further information:
Finnish Children and Youth Foundation
Pieta Hytti
Tel: +358 9 618 21214
E-mail: pieta.hytti@slns.org
Nokia
Communications
Tel: +358 7180 34900
E-mail: press.office@nokia.com
www.nokia.com