Bogotá, Colombia - Nokia and Fundación Empresarios Por la Educación (ExE) have launched a new three-year program to promote youth employment and personal development in Colombia.

 

The program offers training in information technology and also in "life skills" such as communications, problem-solving and conflict resolution. It is aimed at developing a combination of technical skills, personal skills, and the hands-on experience that young people need to build successful lives, and contribute to the community.

 

As part of the global Make a Connection initiative, the new program draws on the expertise of the International Youth Foundation (IYF), and its worldwide experience. Now active in more than 20 countries, Make a Connection began over 5 years ago, and has received funding from Nokia in excess of $US 23 million.

 

One of the elements of the program is to assist families with limited resources. ExE and Nokia hope to share this opportunity with young people who have a lot to offer, but lack the financial means to take the first step. The beneficiaries will be youth, ages 16 to 21, from the Bosa and Engativá areas of Bogotá.

 

The program is jointly funded by the Multilateral Investment Fund of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), highlighting the potential that the international community sees in Colombian youth and the importance of youth employment.  ExE and Nokia also welcome additional donors to help expand the scale of the program.

 

Vesa Siltanen, Country Manager of Nokia in Colombia, noted that, "Nokia has a long history of helping young people achieve their potential, and we are pleased to extend our activities to Colombia. We see this program as an opportunity for young people to serve as leaders and contribute to their communities. Helping them to secure a livelihood is only part of the equation."

 

Guillermo Carvajalino, Executive Director, ExE added, "Colombia is rich in the capability and resourcefulness of its young people. Through Make a Connection, we will be able to channel those strengths and bring vital knowledge and leadership to communities in need. For themselves and their communities, young people are not just the future, they are the present. This program recognizes that."

 

 

Make a Connection, launched in 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. Over the past five years, Make a Connection has equipped nearly 240,000 young people with essential skills for life and indirectly benefited more than 2 million people. Programs have already been implemented 22 countries, each tailored to country-specific needs. More information on Make a Connection can be found at www.makeaconnection.org.

 

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 close to 70 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 has a positive impact on society that extends beyond the advanced technology, products and services the company creates. Through its cooperation with the International Youth Foundation 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.

 

 

 

Nokia, Latin America

Jorge Aguilera, Corporate Communications Manager

Tel: + 972 894 6416

E-mail: jorge.aguilera@nokia.com

 

Nokia

Communications

Tel: +358 7180 34900

E-mail: press.office@nokia.com

 

www.nokia.com