May 31, 2004 -- Istanbul, Turkey - Nokia today received a Platin Award for one of its corporate community involvement programs called the "Dreams Workshop". The Platin Awards are given out every year by Platin Magazine, Turkey's leading monthly business publication, based on an annual theme. This year's theme - "Corporate Social Projects" - saw over 60 applications from the Turkish business world.
Nokia and the Turkish Education Volunteers Foundation (Türkiye Egitim Gönüllüleri Vakfi - TEGV) worked together to implement the "Dreams Workshop" program, which enhances the self-esteem, perceptive and communicative skills of disadvantaged children and adolescents in Turkey through creative activities which help them to become confident and empathetic community members.
The Dreams Workshop is part of the global Make a Connection program, an initiative of the International Youth Foundation and Nokia, now active in 17 countries.
The awards ceremony was attended by the Mayor of Istanbul, various ministers, members of the parliament and top level representatives from the business world, and broadcast live on national television. Ülkem Kirimli, who accepted the award on behalf of Nokia, said, "We are proud to have won this meaningful award and we would like to thank the Education Volunteers Foundation for all their great work."
The Dreams Workshop project started in June 2003 and will run for an initial three years, reaching nearly 800 volunteers and 40.000 children. Workshops take place in TEGV's Educational Parks, in specially constructed facilities designed to provide a creative learning environment for volunteers and children from a variety of economic, social and cultural backgrounds.
About Make a Connection
Make a Connection, launched in April 2000, 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. Programs are now up and running in 17 countries: Brazil, Canada, China, the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Hungary, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Russia, 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 an educational NGO active throughout Turkey. It 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, as well as widespread public recognition throughout Turkey. TEGV has provided educational support to over 300.000 children in the eight years since its foundation in 1995, with 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 the International Youth Foundation
The International Youth Foundation (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, IYF and its partners have helped millions of 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 initiative 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 initiative 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:
Nokia
Corporate Communications
Tel. +358 7180 34900
Email press.office@nokia.com
www.nokia.com