São Paulo, Brazil – the Abrinq Foundation, the International Youth Foundation (IYF) and Nokia announce the launch of a reading programme, Mudando a História, as part of the Nokia and IYF global Make a Connection program.
The new initiative, aimed at stimulating potential in children to pursue an education, puts readership at the forefront of individual learning and social development. Project volunteers ranging from age 15 to 25 years will be trained as reading mediators in communities in the greater São Paulo area. During the three-year project, 100 mediators are expected to be trained, touching the lives of nearly 10,000 children between 2 and 14 years old who will be read to in their own living environment.
Volunteer readers will come from the Abrinq Foundation for the Rights of Children, as well as from regional public bodies, community organizations and schools, and training will involve 40 hours of hands-on, dynamic classroom work.
Mudando a História intends to benefit both the children, who will be discovering a new world through books and exploring their creativity and potential, and the mediators, contributing to their personal development and preparing them to participate as active citizens in their communities.
Commenting on the initiative, Nokia's president in Brazil, Sven Markelin stressed the company's commitment to youth and education;
"Nokia is committed to improving and shaping our social environment in ways that go beyond the cutting edge technology of its products and services. Through partnerships with IYF and regional institutions such as the Abrinq Foundation, we hope we can do our part to help children and young people create their own place in the world."
About the Abrinq Foundation for the Rights of Children
The Abrinq Foundation for the Rights of Children is a non-profit and Federal Public Good entity, created in 1990 by a group of businessmen. Its mission is to promote the defense of rights and the exercise of citizenship by children and teenagers, using the articulation and mobilization of civilian society and public authorities as a strategy to make children and teenagers a priority, in addition to promoting and giving visibility to successful policies and actions that can be expanded.
About the International Youth Foundation
Founded in 1990, the International Youth Foundation (IYF) is an independent, nongovernmental organization dedicated to improving the lives of young people where they live, learn, work, and play. IYF's work is based on the knowledge that throughout the world, effective youth programs and strategies exist that are making a positive and lasting difference in young lives. Its mission is to identify these proven approaches, strengthen their impact, and expand their reach to benefit greater numbers of young people. To do so, IYF draws on the experience, expertise, and on-the-ground knowledge of a global network of Partner organizations.
About Nokia
Nokia is the world leader in mobile communications. Backed by its experience, innovation, user-friendliness and secure solutions, the company has become the leading supplier of mobile phones and a leading supplier of mobile, fixed and IP networks. By adding mobility to the Internet Nokia creates new opportunities for companies and further enriches the daily lives of people. Nokia is a broadly held company with listings on six major exchanges.
Further information:
Paula Barifouse
Nokia, Brazil
Tel: 55 11 5508 0416
Email: paula.barifouse@nokia.com
www.nokia.com