Press releases (english)

Civil Society Development Foundation (NROS) and Nokia Announce
Special Event Honouring Young Change-makers

Prague, 5 June 2007 – Dozens of enterprising youth groups will display their volunteer projects at the “Make a Connection – Připoj se” festival on 1 September. The festival, being held on the grounds of the Wallenstein Loggia near Jičín, will showcase the many ways in which young people contribute to their communities, while encouraging more youth to play an active role. Young and older visitors to this first-ever event will enjoy interactive presentations, games, music and, entertainment, capped off by an evening concert featuring leading Czech and foreign bands. The Make a Connection programme has been organized in the Czech Republic since 2002, by the Foundation for the Development of Civil Society (NROS) and Nokia.

“We want to show how young people can help others, and to introduce the idea of volunteerism to them,” explains Šárka Baronová, the Manager for Marketing and Communication of Nokia in the Czech and Slovak Republics. “We offer youth, ages 16 to 24, the opportunity to implement their own project, which we support with up to CZK 50,000. The only condition is that the project must be aimed at helping, or effecting positive change, in the community in which the young people live. The festival is organised both for the participants in the programme and the general public,” says Šárka Baronová, adding that the festival also gives young programme participants the opportunity to get to know each other, as well as one another’s projects.

“This festival is unique and the first of its kind in the Czech Republic,” said Hana Šilhánová, NROS’s Director. “Its goal is to show the general public the various forms that volunteerism can take, and to present the excellent and often very innovative ideas of young people that are supported by the programme Make a Connection – Připoj se.”

A rich programme awaits all of the guests. From ten o’clock, the presentations of the young people’s volunteer projects will take place, in two forms: passively, on posters and boards, as well as actively, with the young people themselves presenting their projects, through theatrical performances, artistic workshops, sports exhibitions, and entertaining competitions. In the evening and at night, professional bands (Support Lesbians, Ohm Square, Khoiba, Sunshine, Kale,…) as well as the musical projects of young people supported by the Make a Connection programme, will perform on three stages. The festival participants can stay the night at a nearby camp ground. Admission to the festival and camping on the site are free of charge.

The Make a Connection programme is part of a global youth development initiative of Nokia and the US-based International Youth Foundation (IYF), which supports programs for young people in 70 countries. The Foundation for the Development of Civil Society’s (NROS) extensive experience in implementing youth projects made it well equipped to successfully carry out the programme in the Czech Republic, in association with Nokia. Nokia strives to prepare young people to be able to embrace the opportunities offered by the global economy and technological advancements. For several years, Nokia has actively contributed to regional projects for youth, and its employees are involved in many projects worldwide as volunteers.

About the “Make a Connection – Připoj se” program
The “Make a Connection – Připoj se” program is part of a global development initiative of Nokia and International Youth Foundation (IYF). Its goal is to provide support for the positive development of young people, by offering them opportunities to engage meaningfully with their peers, their families, and society in general. The program expands non-formal educational opportunities for young people, helps them to gain experience, and participate actively in community life. The program was launched in 2002 as a joint initiative of the Foundation for Development of Civic Society (NROS) and Nokia and currently operates in five regions of the country.. NROS overseas the overall management and coordination of the program, while at the regional level, its realization has been entrusted to five non-profit making organisations. The sixth partner is The Tereza Maxová Foundation, which is realizing the program for children's homes throughout the country. For further information, visit: www.pripojse.cz

About The Civil Society Development Foundation (NROS)
The Civil Society Development Foundation (NROS) strives to reinforce the position of the non-profit sector in the Czech Republic through philanthropy and voluntary work, and through projects that contribute to development of civic society and to European integration. The Foundation supports non-profit organizations and governmental agencies working with endangered or disadvantaged groups; protects human rights, democratic values, tolerance, and respect for the rights of minorities; and increases public awareness about these issues. One of the Foundation’s main target groups are children and young people. More information about NROS is available at www.nros.cz

About Nokia
Nokia is committed to having a positive impact on society that extends beyond the advanced technology, products and services it creates. It has invested in community projects supporting young people and education in 30 countries, benefiting more than 1 million young people. The company has an active employee volunteering program which last year saw its employees give more than 25,000 hours to local community projects. Nokia is also supporting innovative technology projects designed to bridge the digital divide and bring the benefits of mobile technology to communities around the world. For more information, For more information, visit www.nokia.com/communityinvolvement

About the International Youth Foundation
The International Youth Foundation is a global non-profit organization uniquely dedicated to preparing young people to be healthy, productive, and engaged citizens. Founded in 1990, IYF’s worldwide network of partner organizations has grown to 70 countries, helping young people to shape their futures through proven programs that tie education to work, improve employability, and enable and inspire them to play a positive role in their communities. IYF collaborates with businesses, governments and civil society organizations to build effective, and sustainable programs that positively impact the lives of young people worldwide.For more information, please visit www.iyfnet.org.

Questions from media:

NROS:
Anna Onucová
Tel.: +420 227 217 254
Mobile Phone: +420 605 161 138
E-mail: anna.onucova@nros.cz

Nokia:
Martin Frýdl
AC&C Public Relations, s.r.o.
Tel.: +420 220 513 680
Mobile Phone: +420 603 419 681
Fax: +420 220 518 209
E-mail: martin.frydl@accpr.cz
ICQ: 223-959-827
SKYPE: martinfrydl8275