SMART Technologies Partners with Free The Children

CALGARY, April 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ - SMART Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: SMT) (TSX: SMA), a leading global provider of collaborative education technology solutions, has partnered with Free The Children, an international charity and educational partner to revolutionize the way children learn and collaborate both in and outside of the classroom.

As a supporter of We Day Alberta, SMART will be connecting youth across the province to world-renowned leaders and A-list entertainers, as well as thousands of like-minded elementary and secondary school students and educators in an inspirational setting to learn about some of the most pressing local and global issues of our time.  In working with Free The Children, SMART will help empower youth through collaborative education technology solutions, inspire them to take action on  social change initiatives, and change the way they learn and think about the world around them.

"We are very excited to be working with Free The Children who have education at the heart of their organization," said Neil Gaydon, President and CEO of SMART Technologies. "The combination of SMART's leading education technology and Free The Children's incredible global activities will be a compelling force for good in making the world a better place".

Around the world, millions of children lack access to basic education.  Together SMART and Free The Children are working to provide youth with the knowledge and tools to break the cycle of poverty.   Through Free The Children's holistic and sustainable development model Adopt a Village, SMART will support education and access to technology for students in Verdhara, India by supporting the reconstruction of the computer lab and encouraging employees to participate in volunteer trips to Free The Children communities.

"Making a difference in a community overseas, or here at home takes passion, creativity and innovation," said Craig Kielburger, co-founder of Free The Children. "By working with SMART Technologies, we can connect students and educators with new ideas, and inspire them to take action on the issues they care about in original and exciting ways."

SMART employee involvement will be a key part of the company's support of Free The Children. Along with volunteering at We Day Alberta as well as the Adopt a Village program in India, children of employees will be eligible for youth scholarships if they volunteer, and demonstrate leadership and community involvement.

About SMART Technologies

SMART Technologies Inc. is a leading provider of technology solutions that enable inspired collaboration in schools and workplaces around the world by turning group work into a highly interactive, engaging and productive experience. SMART delivers integrated solutions of hardware, software and services designed for superior performance and ease of use, and remains a world leader in interactive displays. 

About Free The Children

Free The Children is an international charity and educational partner. Founded in 1995 by international activist Craig Kielburger, Free the Children believes in a world where young people are free to achieve their fullest potential, and empowers youth to remove barriers that prevent them from being active local and global citizens. The organization's domestic programs - which include We Day, Free the Children's signature youth empowerment event - educate, engage and empower 2.3 million youth across North America and UK to become engaged global citizens. Its international projects are implemented through a holistic and sustainable development model called Adopt a Village.  Currently, Adopt a Village supports community development in eight countries; Kenya, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Ecuador, Haiti, Nicaragua, rural China and India.  Through its international programming, Free The Children has brought more than 650 schools and school rooms to youth and provided clean water, health care and sanitation to 1 million people around the world, freeing children and their families from the cycle of poverty.

The organization has received the World's Children's Prize for the Rights of the Child, the Human Rights Award from the World Association of Non‐Governmental Organizations, and has formed successful partnerships with leading school boards and Oprah's Angel Network. For more information, visit www.freethechildren.com.

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SOURCE SMART Technologies Inc.