"Nurturing Future Leaders" contributes to betterment of local communities
Today in Mindanao, the Philippines, Nokia and Consuelo Foundation announced that 50 more indigenous youth leaders have been selected to receive grants for their projects designed to enhance their livelihood, as a part of the Make a Connection program called "Nurturing Future Leaders".
Make a Connection, a global initiative of the International Youth Foundation and Nokia to promote positive youth development, currently operates in 17 countries. The program in the Philippines was established in 2001 and has already impacted 450 youth.
"Nurturing Future Leaders" works with indigenous leaders to select young people who have demonstrated potential to become leaders of their communities. Through intense training programs, young people learn how to set up their own businesses, and at the same time acquire critical 'life skills'. The program develops young people's self-confidence and pride in their traditions and heritage, teaches them about the challenges their communities face, and equips youth with the skills to identify problems and work with their peers and elders to solve them.
"Nokia believes that an effective and sustainable leadership program for the indigenous youth leaders will allow them to confidently lead productive and empowered lives within their rich cultural traditions," said Parikshit Bhasin, General Manager, Nokia.
In 2004, Make a Connection is focusing on two indigenous youth groups, Iranons and Maguindanaons, whose project sites were recently inaugurated in Cotabato City. Following a one-year training period on small-scale business procedures, the 50 youth will set up several small businesses that have the potential to contribute significantly to their communities. In 2003, three groups of 50 young people each were trained through the Make a Connection program, contributing to agricultural growth and the poultry industry in six different Filipino communities.
"Nurturing Future Leaders" is anchored in traditional leadership knowledge and is active in several indigenous tribal communities. There are about 110 indigenous tribes in the Philippines, making up 16 percent of the nation's population (roughly 11.6 million people). Around 20 percent of them (2.3 million) are between 15 and 24 years of age. The program addresses the need for a deeper understanding of new challenges confronting indigenous communities and provides participants with the opportunity to reflect on how they, as potential leaders, can meaningfully respond.
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, 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.
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, 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 Consuelo Foundation
Consuelo Foundation seeks to enhance the welfare and improve the prospects of disadvantaged Filipino clhildren and youth, specifically those below 20 years of age - victims of abuse, street children, children of indigenous people, and out-of-school youth among them. Consuelo Foundation has four major program thrusts: prevention of child abuse and recovery and reintegration of victims, promotion of justice for disadvantaged children and youth, enhancement of the social and economic potentials of out-of-school children and youth, promotion of appropriate education for indigenous children and youth. More information on the Consuelo Foundation can be found at www.consuelo.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 organisations 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 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.
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 organisations 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 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 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.
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.
Contact information
Nokia
Farida Mending
Tel: +6327541574
e-mail: farida.mending@nokia.com
Farida Mending
Tel: +6327541574
e-mail: farida.mending@nokia.com
Consuelo Foundation
Elsa Ravelo
Tel: +632 848 0601
e-mail: elsar@globenet.com.ph
Elsa Ravelo
Tel: +632 848 0601
e-mail: elsar@globenet.com.ph
Bridges (PR Agency),
Alexei Villaraza/Annie Ringor
Tel: +632 812 3542
e-mail: alexei_v@hotmail.com/adringor@edsamail.com.ph
Alexei Villaraza/Annie Ringor
Tel: +632 812 3542
e-mail: alexei_v@hotmail.com/adringor@edsamail.com.ph