In today's fast-changing, global economy, educators and employers alike recognize that traditional education often falls short of providing young people with the basic life skills they need to succeed – in school, in their communities, and future workplaces. To help meet this critical need, in 2000, the International Youth Foundation (IYF) and Nokia launched a global youth development initiative that, to date, has reached more than 420,000 young people in 26 countries.
The focus of this US$34 million initiative is on local programs that improve educational opportunities and teach life skills, including self-confidence, goal-setting, problem-solving, conflict resolution, and teamwork. In-country programs, carried out by local nongovernmental organizations, address locally identified needs. For example:
- In the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Russia, young people receive support in contributing to their communities.
- In Venezuela, disadvantaged youth acquire vocational and life skills aimed at helping them get jobs or start their own small enterprises.
- In the United States, young people learn to express themselves -- and their views about the world -- through art.
- And in Nigeria, young people are acquiring the skills they need to be effective leaders.
What these local programs share in common is a commitment to equipping young people with essential skills that will empower them to become competent, confident, responsible, and caring adults.
Related links:
What are Life Skills?
Geographic Reach
Outcomes Measurement:
Study: Measuring Outcomes in Programs Designed to Help Young People Acquire Life Skills:
Lessons from the Nokia-IYF Global Youth Development Initiative
Stories:
Message from Hungarian Youth: Get Involved!
Belgian Youth Juggle Fun and Environmental Sustainability
Publications:
Alliances for Youth: What Works in CSR Partnerships
Field Notes Series (PDF files)
To learn more, visit:
http://www.nokia.com/communityinvolvement |
