Buenos Aires, Argentina -- Nokia together with the SES Foundation announced today Make a Connection "Posta Jóven" - a program to develop community leaders to promote positive change in their communities. The project will benefit 6,000 young people throughout four "postas" (Patagonia, Northeast, Cuyo and Centre) in Argentina.

 

"Posta Jóven" is part of Make a Connection, a global initiative of the International Youth Foundation and Nokia to promote positive youth development. The initiative currently operates in 19 countries, with Nokia already investing over US$20 million in the global program.

 

"This just-launched Make a Connection program is part of Nokia's global efforts to promote life skills development in young people over the world and also here in Argentina to promote community spirit and leadership," said Kimmo Lipponen, Director of Community Involvement, Nokia.

 

The Make a Connection "Posta Jóven" program will benefit disadvantaged young people, ages 17 to 24. The program looks to develop community leaders through strengthening young people's social abilities, increasing volunteering, developing Art and Communication Projects and strengthening networking activities. It will provide spaces for recreational, cultural and educational activities, and offer scholarships and career assistance.

 

"Young people face tremendous challenges from every day life," said Alberto César Croce, President of the SES Foundation.  "At the same time they have tremendous skills and strengths that they must be given the opportunity to be developed and used. We cannot afford but to utilize these priceless resources within the community."

 

Adds Bill Reese, Chief Operating Officer of IYF and present at today's launch:  "Make a Connection is a program that invests in building life skills young people need to be successful  at work, as parents, and in their community and country.  SES, IYF and Nokia all share this vision, and IYF is excited to be working in collaboration with them."

 

The name of the program reminds one of "La Posta", a very important place for communication at the time when Argentina was just being developed. A posta is a place where travellers would meet, exchange news required to go on with their lives, nourish their bodies and spirit, weave new relationships and renew the purposes of their travel, all of which would allow them to continue. La Posta was a place of rest and introspection; a place to know and recognize oneself, and therefore describes the Make a Connection spirit well.

 

 

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 19 countries: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Hungary, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Russia, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States.  More information can be found at www.makeaconnection.org.

 

About SES Foundation

This SES Foundation, established in 1999, is dedicated to developing programs and strategies to promote inclusion of teenagers and young people with fewer opportunities.  This challenge is inspired in the reality of million of young individuals who live in the MERCOSUR region with no possibility to have a meaningful life project.  The SES Foundation is engaged in three areas: education, work and the roles of youth. Its mission is to get teenagers and young people with fewer opportunities to be included in education, economy and politics.  For the territorial task, it is associated with 17 other organizations throughout the country. Further information can be found at: www.fundses.org.ar

 

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 more than 60 countries and territories, 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.

 

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 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.

 

 

Ketchum Argentina

Germán Daneri

(5411) 4832-7700

German.daneri@ketchum.com.ar

 

SES Foundation

Mirta Lescano

(5411) 4896-1920

 

Nokia

Communications

Tel. +358 7180 34900

Email: press.office@nokia.com

 

International Youth Foundation

Karen Diakun

Tel: 1-410-951-2328

kdiakun@iyfnet.org