Make a Connection, a global initiative of the International Youth Foundation and Nokia, was launched in Hungary in September 2002. Speaking at a press event in Budapest, Dr. Kinga Göncz, patron of the program and political state secretary of the Ministry of Health, Social and Family Affairs said: "Young people actively supporting their local communities is of key value for society. This initiative and the results yielded from the first year alone show that strengthening civic values is an essential basis for building social solidarity. I am very encouraged by the decision to continue this program."
Under the coordination of DIA, 22 volunteer groups participated in the first-year pilot. Each group received training in areas such as project management, budget planning and fundraising, and was given the opportunity to apply for grants to implement their own projects. A total 21 grants were awarded during the first year to projects ranging from support for young orphans in Debrecen to cleaning and beautifying public parks in Sopron.
"Since the program launch in 2002, more than 600 volunteers in 15 towns and cities around the country worked tens of thousands of hours to contribute to the development of their communities," said Zsolt Pethe, Program Director of DIA. "Building on last year's successes, we plan to involve over 10,000 young Hungarian volunteers in the program in the 2003-2004 school year."
Celebrity, Artur Kalid, champions new Make a Connection chapter
Present at the event, well-known theater and film actor Artur Kalid spoke out in favor of the youth volunteering program and pledged his ongoing support. Kalid also gave testimony to the importance of youth life skills and the value of these skills in building Hungary's future. In his address Kalid, himself an orphan, was able to draw on his own youth experiences in overcoming challenges and finding his place in the world.
Hungarian film students win Make a Connection video award
A Hungarian student film team was today awarded third place in the international ACTION! Make a Connection video competition. In addition to a prefilming production grant of EUR 5,000, the four young Hungarian filmmakers won EUR 1,000 in prize money and each received a Nokia 3650 video phone. The short film, which tells the Make a Connection story through the eyes of young people, was screened at the press conference today.
In Budapest to present the award, Nokia Senior Vice President Martin Sandelin said: "The Make a Connection program is about young people connecting to their peers and communities. In their production the film team succeeded in capturing the essence of the program with eloquence and emotion. The video also clearly illustrates the capabilities of the young generation of Hungarian film makers."
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
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 DIA
Foundation For Democratic Youth/Demokratikus Ifjúságért Alapítvány (DIA) is a Hungarian non-profit organization building a volunteer infrastructure for youth ages 14-25 within Central and Eastern Europe. DIA's mission is to strengthen civil society in the region by increasing the active participation of youth in local communities. More information on DIA can be found at www.i-dia.org
Foundation For Democratic Youth/Demokratikus Ifjúságért Alapítvány (DIA) is a Hungarian non-profit organization building a volunteer infrastructure for youth ages 14-25 within Central and Eastern Europe. DIA's mission is to strengthen civil society in the region by increasing the active participation of youth in local communities. More information on DIA can be found at www.i-dia.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
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 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
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
Further information:
Zsolt Pethe
Demokratikus Ifjúságért Alapítvány
Tel: +361 354 1191
Anna Simai
Nokia Hungary Kft.
Tel: +36 209 777797
Reka Bencze
Weber Shandwick | GJW
Tel: +361 354 2440
Zsolt Pethe
Demokratikus Ifjúságért Alapítvány
Tel: +361 354 1191
Anna Simai
Nokia Hungary Kft.
Tel: +36 209 777797
Reka Bencze
Weber Shandwick | GJW
Tel: +361 354 2440