Community, Latin America, Chile : Nokia (www.nokia.com) and the pro-United Nations Chilean Association (ACHNU) have launched a new three-year programme called Conéctate!

In order to boost youth development in Chile. Conéctate!, which translates from Spanish as "Get Connected," aims to help young people find employment and reach their potential. The programme provides an innovative combination of training in information technology and "life skills" such as empathy, conflict-resolution, and confidence. It also draws on partnerships with Chilean industry, so as to provide internships and align the programme with the needs of Chilean employers.

The programme is not just about helping young people find a job. It is about developing the mixture of technical skills, personal skills, and experience they need to build successful lives, and contribute to the community.

Conéctate! also draws on the expertise of the International Youth Foundation (IYF; www.iyfnet.org), as part of the "Make a Connection" programme, a global initiative of IYF and Nokia active since 2000 in more than 20 countries. Over the past five years, Nokia has committed over $US23 million to youth development through Make a Connection.

Conéctate! is directed towards young people and families with limited resources. ACHNU and Nokia hope to share this opportunity with young people who have a lot to offer but lack the financial means to take the first step. The beneficiaries will be young people aged 18 to 25 from the Metropolitan and VIII Regions of Chile, specifically the La Florida, Peñalolén, Lo Espejo, San Pedro de la Paz and Chiguayante municipalities.

The programme is jointly funded by the Multilateral Investment Fund of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), highlighting the potential that the international community sees in Chilean youth. ACHNU and Nokia also welcome additional donors, especially from within Chile, to help expand the scale of Conéctate! Local government, Chile Califica, and the Chilean National Employment and Training Service known as SENSE have already provided valuable support to the programme.

Patricio Valenzuela of Nokia observed, "Young people hold the keys to the future. Nokia's aim is to recognise the abilities of Chilean youth, and encourage them to lead and contribute to society. We also believe that strengthening the capacity of valuable organisations like ACHNU is a positive step towards this goal."

Francis Valverde, Executive Director, ACHNU added, "This programme seeks to make a difference in the community, and show what young people can achieve. We believe in Chilean youth, and we look forward to working with Nokia to help them reach their full potential."

*Over the past five years Make a Connection (www.makeaconnection.org) has equipped more than 180,000 young people with essential skills for life. Programmes are now up and running in 21 countries, each tailored to country-specific needs. ACHNU was created in 1991 as a non-profit development organisation to promote the rights of children and youth. It draws on active participation by youth to put into effect those rights that guarantee their full development and happiness. ACHNU is affiliated with the World Federation of United Nations Associations, has consultation status at the United Nations system and acts as formal representative before the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (CEPAL).