Seoul, Korea: The Asia-wide conference for Nokia's corporate citizenship program Make a Connection was kicked off today in Seoul, Korea. The two-day conference on 20-21 November 2003 is designed to boost the degree of regional cooperation in the Make a Connection Network and encourage the cross-utilization of best practices in corporate community involvement.  

 

The kick-off introduced the notable achievements of the Make a Connection Gong-bu Bang Support Program in Korea, run by Kids & Future and Nokia Korea.  Gong-bu Bangs are neighborhood welfare and education centers, and the Make a Connection Gong-bu Bang Support Program provides support to children aged 7 to 15 from families adversely affected by economic conditions. The program improves young people's "life skills" including self-confidence and critical thinking, and provides a safe place for children to go after school. 

 

The program has reached an estimated 1,110 young people since being launched in 2002. Furthermore, over 3,000 family members and friends have benefited indirectly. Looking to the future, there are plans to publish a Gong-bu Bang Manual to share best practices of the program and allow its implementation in even more Gong-bu Bangs.

 

"As a corporate citizenship program, Make a Connection reflects Nokia's continuous efforts for positive youth development," said Martin Sandelin, Senior Vice President, Corporate Marketing of Nokia. "Given that more than 1,000 young people have benefited from Korea's Gong-bu Bang Support Program, we believe it has and will continue to have a real impact on the daily lives of young people. Moreover, the government recognizes the value of Gong-bu Bang Support Program and is considering supportive legislation."

 

Son Bong-Ho, Vice President of Kids & Future, noted, "In Korea, most programs follow traditional philanthropy in terms of giving. However Make a Connection is a true corporate community involvement program and provides a model for effective cooperation between the corporate and non-profit sector." 

 

Martin Sandelin of Nokia and Alan Williams, Vice President of the International Youth Foundation, will be participating in the conference, while Steve Rochlin, Director of Research and Policy Development with the Center for Corporate Citizenship at Boston College, will provide the keynote presentation.

 

Since its launch in April 2000, Make a Connection has expanded to 16 countries with programs that include a reading mentorship program for disadvantaged children in Brazil; community service projects conducted by young social entrepreneurs in Poland; and a project in China to connect young people from fast growing urban areas to their peers in the countryside.

 

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, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Peru, 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 Kids&Future

The Kids&Future Foundation was established in March 2000 as an independent non-profit organization. The organization promotes a contribution culture in Korea as well as working to extend social welfare equality in otherwise neglected areas. Ongoing projects include the Na Noom (Sharing) Support Project, the Welfare Working-level Training Support Project for Sheim and Hwebok (Rest and Recovery), the Youth Culture Event Support Project and the IT Education Support Project. More information can be found at www.kidsfuture.net.

 

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 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 60 countries, 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.

 

 

Media Enquiries:

 

Angela Kang

Kids & Future

Pone +82-2-588 6797

Email candice@hanafos.com

 

Jiwon Kim

Nokia

Pone +82-2-2186 5085