Six-Year Collaboration Between International Youth Foundation & Nokia Demonstrates Positive Changes in Young Lives

Study Reveals Importance of Life Skills Development to Youth Outcomes

    BALTIMORE, April 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A 13-country study of
 life skills programs run by the International Youth Foundation (IYF) and
 Nokia demonstrates significant increases in young people's educational
 readiness, engagement in their communities, and their self-confidence and
 focus on the future. The study's results were released today during a
 symposium attended by international and U.S. program and policy leaders at
 the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington, DC.
     Launched in 2000, the IYF-Nokia initiative promotes the positive
 development of young people through nurturing 12 key life skills, including
 self-confidence, communication, conflict resolution, and teamwork. The
 study, conducted by Brandeis University's Heller School for Social Policy
 and Management, Center for Youth and Communities, was based on surveys of
 over 3,500 youth and set out to measure changes in young people's life
 skills and related outcomes. Among the most significant findings from the
 Brandeis research:
     -- Ninety-five percent of the young people surveyed were able to point to
        an increase in life skills targeted through the initiative. The most
        significant increases occurred in teamwork/cooperation, self-
        confidence, and creative thinking.
     -- In the programs that emphasized youth volunteerism, 72% of youth
        continued their involvement in volunteer projects after completing the
        program.
     -- In all country programs where educational outcomes were assessed, half
        of the youth reported that they were working harder in school, getting
        better grades, and thinking they could now reach a higher level of
        education than they believed possible before the training.
     -- In all country programs studied, an average of 77% of participants said
        that the program had prepared them for a better life.
     "While each country program is different, making it difficult to draw
 direct comparisons, this pilot study clearly showed that the programs are
 producing meaningful changes in life skills and in young lives," said
 Andrew Hahn, Professor and co-author of the study. "Until recently, little
 has been known internationally about whether such skills do in fact change
 and whether life skills programs can make a difference. The study
 reinforces the notion that life skills can be strengthened and measured."
     Since 2000, Nokia has invested more than US$30 million in life skills
 programs through its joint initiative with IYF, reaching more than 360,000
 young people in 26 countries.
     Martin Sandelin, Vice President for Corporate Social Responsibility at
 Nokia said, "It is critical that we measure the impact of our social
 investments and can use the results to further develop and improve our
 programs. Our goal is that the Brandeis report will inform not only our
 efforts, but those of many other committed individuals and institutions
 working to make a positive and lasting difference in young lives."
     "The study reflects a serious commitment on behalf of Nokia to measure
 the impact of its investment in young lives and to share important lessons
 -- and challenges -- for the benefit of policy makers, donors, and the
 youth development community as whole," said Bill Reese, IYF President and
 CEO. "Life skills -- particularly soft skills -- are receiving considerable
 interest and support in this era of increasing globalization. The goal of
 life skills programs is to produce the kinds of citizens, workers, and
 parents that every society would like to see."
     An executive summary of the study, Measuring Outcomes in Projects
 Designed to Help Young People Acquire Life Skills: Lessons and Challenges
 by Andrew Hahn, Susan Lampery, and Tom Leavitt, is available at:
 http://www.iyfnet.org.
     About the International Youth Foundation (IYF)
     IYF believes young people possess the power to shape the future. To
 learn, work, thrive, and lead, they need access to programs and resources
 that inspire and challenge them. IYF is a global nonprofit organization
 that makes this possible. Today in 70 countries, IYF collaborates with
 businesses, governments, and civil society organizations that share a
 common desire to improve the life conditions and prospects of young people.
 Together, IYF and its partners build effective, sustainable, and scalable
 programs that positively impact the lives of young people worldwide. For
 further information, visit: http://www.iyfnet.org.
     About the Brandeis University, Center for Youth and Communities, Heller
 School for Social Policy and Management
     Since its inception in 1983, the Center for Youth and Communities (CYC)
 has established an international reputation as a leading research center,
 and professional development and policy organization in youth and community
 development. CYC's ultimate goal is to "make knowledge productive. This is
 done by connecting the knowledge gained from scholarly research and
 practical experience in ways that help both policy makers and
 practitioners. To learn more, see http://www.heller.brandeis.edu.
     About Nokia
     Nokia is a world leader in mobile communications, driving the growth
 and sustainability of the broader mobility industry. Nokia connects people
 to each other and the information that matters to them with easy-to-use and
 innovative products like mobile phones, devices and solutions for imaging,
 games, media and businesses. Nokia provides equipment, solutions and
 services for network operators and corporations.
 
 

SOURCE International Youth Foundation