Nokia Wins Corporate Responsibility Award In Czech Republic

 

Founded in April 2002, the program is run by the Civic Society Development Foundation (NROS) and Nokia in the Czech Republic as part of a global initiative of Nokia and the International Youth Foundation. In the Czech Republic, Make a Connection supports young people aged 16 to 22 to develop and implement volunteer projects in five regions. By participating and affecting positive change in their communities, young people develop their leadership and teamwork skills, enhance their self-confidence and acquire civic values.

 

The award ceremony took place under the patronage of US Ambassador, Mr Craig Stapleton, at his residence. Nokia senior country management and representatives of the NROS Foundation were present to receive the award.

 

"We are pleased that Nokia was awarded this prize," said Matti Palomaki, Managing Director, Nokia Czech Republic, s.r.o. "It confirms Nokia's mission to contribute to society more than new and cutting-edge communications technologies. Nokia aims to contribute to positive development of the entire society, which is particularly helped by improving the overall education of the young generation, including life skills."

 

 

The VIA Foundation was established in 1997 as the successor to the Czech office of the American Foundation for a Civil Society, which had operated in the country from 1990. The foundation supports initiatives in which people strive to influence public issues and improve life in their communities. Since its establishment up until to the end of 2002, the VIA Foundation has distributed 926 grants in the total amount of CZK 67,039,673 and thus belongs among the largest and most active foundations in the Czech Republic. The VIA Foundation has received the support of numerous foreign donors, for whom VIA has become a trusted local partner. Over the past two years, the VIA Foundation has expanded its fundraising activities and donor services to include corporate donors in the Czech Republic and the Czech American community in the US. More information on Via can be found at www.nadacevia.cz.

 

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.

 

The Civic Society Development Foundation (Nadace rozvoje obcanské spolecnosti - NROS) makes efforts to strengthen the non-profit sector in the Czech Republic through philanthropy and voluntary work and through projects that contribute to the development of a civic society and European integration. The foundation supports non-profit organisations that work with vulnerable or disadvantaged groups, defend human rights, democratic values, tolerance and respect of minority rights, or otherwise increase awareness on such issues among fellow citizens. One of the Foundation's target groups is children and young people. Thanks to the experience with a number of projects aimed at children and young people, the Civic Society Development Foundation has the needed know-how and qualification for successful implementation of Make a Connection in the Czech Republic in co-operation with the International Youth Foundation and Nokia. More information on NROS can be found at www.nros.cz.

 

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.

 

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.

 

 

For further information:

 

Lenka Naceradska
NROS
tel. +420 2 333 561 73
e-mail: lenka.naceradska@nros.cz

 

Larisa Francirkova
Nokia
tel. +420 602 120 339
e-mail: larisa.francirkova@nokia.com