Nokia/IYF Global Youth Development Initiative

The initiative works on the basis of in-country programmes, which are implemented by local non-governmental organisations. These programmes seek to strengthen the life skills of young people by engaging them in their communities, promoting creative self-expression, providing employment training, and promoting youth social entrepreneurship and leadership. Some examples include:

• In the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Russia, young people receive support in contributing to their communities
• In Chile, disadvantaged youth acquire vocational and life skills aimed at helping them to get jobs or to 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 South Africa, unemployed college graduates receive practical training in computer literacy, effective communication, setting goals, and overcoming obstacles.

What these local programmes share in common, according to organisers, is a commitment to equipping young people with essential skills that will empower them to become competent, confident, responsible, and caring adults.

Youth, Education, Social Entrepreneurship.

This initiative is premised on the belief that, in today's fast-changing, global economy, educators and employers recognise 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. Organisers contend that life skills programmes provide a means of achieving important youth development outcomes, such as improved performance in school, increased literacy, finding and maintaining employment, and active citizenship. The Nokia-IYF initiative focuses on developing the following life skills:

• Creative thinking: The ability to develop original ideas and/or innovative solutions
• Critical thinking: The ability to evaluate information and situations and question what is generally accepted
• Decision-making / Problem-solving: The ability to gather information and assess options in order to make informed choices
• Self-confidence: The quality necessary to believe in one’s abilities, accept one’s weaknesses, and respect one’s own background
• Communication and interpersonal skills: The ability to express oneself effectively, to understand others, and to respond appropriately to different people in different situations
• Conflict management: The ability to look for a common solution in a sensible, fair, and efficient manner and to embrace different perspectives
• Cooperation/Teamwork: The ability to work collectively to achieve a common goal and to compromise when needed
• Managing one’s emotions: The ability to deal with one’s feelings and to express them in a responsible manner (also referred to as “emotional literacy”)
• Contribution (civic values): The ability to look beyond yourself and to effect change in the larger community
• Empathy: The ability to identify with another's feelings, needs, and situation and to express that understanding to them
• Respect: The ability to accept another’s opinion or values, and appreciate others
• Responsibility: The ability to set and achieve goals and to be accountable for one’s actions

To date, this programme has reached more than 330,000 young people in 24 countries.