Showing posts with label International Youth Foundation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label International Youth Foundation. Show all posts

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Samsung Electronics and International Youth Foundation Announce Employability Projects for Young Nigerians

26 Feb 2009 10:00 Africa/Lagos

Samsung Offers 'Real Dreams' for Youth

LAGOS, Nigeria, February 26/PRNewswire/ --


- Samsung Electronics and International Youth Foundation Announce Employability Projects for Young Nigerians


The International Youth Foundation (IYF), in partnership with Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., a market leader and award-winning innovator in consumer electronics, recently unveiled "Real Dreams" -- a youth employability program in Nigeria as a part of the company's corporate social responsibility commitment in the region.


The "Real Dreams" program aims to increase economic activity in the region, particularly by promoting job skills and preparing young people for successful, long-term careers.


The program will be implemented in cooperation with three local non-governmental, educational institutions: the Afterschool Graduate Development Centre (AGDC); FATE Foundation; and Pan-African University. Each organization will implement youth employment and development programs focused on delivering training in life skills, information and communication technologies, and entrepreneurship as well as providing work experience through internships. The program, which will potentially benefit over 600 young Nigerians, will commence in February and continue throughout the year.


"Over 60% of Nigeria's population is under the age of 25; and unemployment for youth ages 15-24 is about 20%," said Kyungtae Bae, President of Samsung Middle East and Africa. "Through these programs, we hope to empower Nigeria's young people and prepare them to compete for jobs, and fulfill their dreams and aspirations for a better future for themselves and their communities."


"Helping today's youth get decent jobs is a critical step forward, not only in terms of improving their own prospects, but also positively impacting the social and economic development of their country," said William S. Reese, IYF President and CEO. "We are deeply grateful to Samsung for its commitment to provide these young people with the skills and motivation they need to contribute to Africa's revitalization in the years to come."


Samsung and the IYF announced their partnership in November 2008 to jointly address youth unemployment in Africa. Under the agreement, Samsung and IYF will find ways to utilize the company's cutting-edge technology and expertise to help address the employment needs of Africa's youth.


Description of the projects:


Afterschool Graduate Development Centre (AGDC)


To help address high unemployment rates among university and polytechnic graduates, the Samsung Real Dreams program will enhance the job opportunities of 240 Nigerian youth, ages 23 to 32. Working with the Afterschool Graduate Development Centre (AGDC) in Lagos, the program will provide employability training and internships as well as career development and job placement services to young people from six regions of the country.


FATE Foundation


Providing young entrepreneurs with training, mentorship, technical assistance, and business development services so that they can start and run their own small businesses is the goal of this Samsung Real Dreams program, being implemented in Lagos and Port Harcourt by FATE Foundation. Approximately 270 disadvantaged Nigerian youth, ages 16 to 35, will benefit.


Pan-African University's School of Media and Communication


Working with the Pan-African University's School of Media and Communication in Lagos, the Samsung Real Dreams program will enhance employment opportunities in the media industry for 100 disadvantaged Nigerian youth, ages 21 to 35, through classroom activities and practical hands-on projects. Participants will benefit from training sessions in new media, creativity, innovative thinking, entrepreneurship and life skills, as well as job placement and business development support services.


About Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd


Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2007 consolidated sales of US$105 billion. Employing approximately 150,000 people in 134 offices in 62 countries, the company consists of two main business units: Digital Media & Communications and Device Solutions. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, memory chips, mobile phones and TFT-LCDs. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.


About International Youth Foundation: The International Youth Foundation (IYF) invests in the extraordinary potential of young people. Founded in 1990, IYF builds and maintains a worldwide community of businesses, governments, and civil society organizations committed to empowering youth to be healthy, productive, and engaged citizens. IYF programs are catalysts of change that help young people obtain a quality education, gain employability skills, make healthy choices, and improve their communities. To learn more visit www.iyfnet.org.


Source: International Youth Foundation

Jakyung Kang of Samsung Electronics, +1-971-4364-8704, Jakyung.k@samsung.com; or Jim Peirce, Vice President Planning and Outreach of the International Youth Foundation, +1-410-951-1606, jim@iyfnet.org

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