Dell YouthConnect is first partner for UK pilot programme
Posted by irislapinski on December 9th, 2009
After months of silence – and hard work – we are very proud to announce that Dell is supporting the pilots through its Youth Connect programme. Here is the text of the Dell press release that went out last week (sorry for the delay!).
There will be many more updates soon, but I thought it’s really time to share this: There will be many more updates soon, but I thought it’s really time to share this:
Two UK Charities First to Benefit from Dell YouthConnect Grant
London, UK, Dec 1st, 2009 – Dell YouthConnect, a global programme designed to support education and digital inclusion initiatives for underserved youth was launched in the UK today. The US$694,000 cash and in-kind grants of Dell products were awarded to the Center for Digital Inclusion (CDI) and Action for Children. The grants will be used to improve access to technology in the UK and help young people develop the transferable skills needed to enhance lives and pursue professional careers.
The Dell YouthConnect programme was launched in February 2009 and by the end of the year, Dell will have donated more than US$8 million to educational and digital initiatives that will impact more than 100,000 young people in eight countries. The cash and in-kind grants support technology education for young people, and promote maths, science and technology skills development. Dell assesses technology and infrastructure needs together with the recipient organisations, and awards strategic partnerships and employee-directed grants to meet their specific needs.
Originally based in Brazil, CDI is expanding to the UK and adapting its PC-based education programme to a hybrid model incorporating smart phones. This new model is more suited to developed countries, but still targeted at youth who struggle to access or utilize technology to benefit their lives. During a 12-month pilot programme CDI will develop and test a new curriculum in the UK that takes advantage of the multimedia and geolocation capabilities of smart phones, but also integrates IT and social media skills to fill technology skill gaps of participating students.
Action for Children will use the grant with the same end goal in mind, to help improve IT access and skills for the young people they work with. Funds will also help project staff gain an understanding of new technology to reduce common fears and frustrations often associated with technology use.
Dell YouthConnect was initially launched on reaching young people in emerging economies. As Dell continues to evolve the programme, it is expanding to other countries where young people need access to technology and education.
Quotes:
“An important element of Dell’s YouthConnect programme is to ensure we continue to work alongside organisations receiving the grant, providing additional value outside of financial support, and access to the skills, experiences and insights of Dell’s own employees.” Martin Boyce, Director Business Initiatives & Channel Development, Europe, Middle East & Africa – Consumer
“This is a very exciting moment for the CDI network worldwide. For the first time we will be adapting our proven methodology to a developed economy. The UK pilot programme will allow us to test new models to promote community empowerment and digital inclusion. Thus, in the UK we are testing the future of our work globally.” Rodrigo Baggio, Founder and Executive Director CDI Global
“Dell has shown a vision and commitment that very few companies have. It is investing in the sound foundations of a leading-edge and innovative programme that aims to leapfrog young people, in deprived communities, in their skills and knowledge development while they help to improve their communities. With Dell’s support, we are confident we can turn this pilot programme into a successful model for the future for digital inclusion globally.” Iris Lapinski, Director of Operations CDI UK, responsible for the pilot programme.
“It is fantastic to have the support of Dell to help us enhance the IT skills of our young people. Technology is a daily part of life for most young people; for the most vulnerable however, it is a vital way to help them to break free from obstacles in their lives and open up a world of opportunities that they might not otherwise face.” Clare Tickell, Chief Executive at Action for Children.
About the Center for Digital Inclusion-Dell YouthConnect programme
- The Centre for Digital Inclusion (CDI) is a pioneer in digital inclusion in the developing world with a focus on entrepreneurship and community action.
- During the last 14 years, 1,250,000 people in low-income communities have graduated from CDI’s award-winning technology programmes.
- Dell YouthConnect is supporting CDI’s expansion to the UK (London, Glasgow) by changing its PC-based model to a hybrid model incorporating smart phones.
- During a 12-month pilot programme, CDI will develop and test a new curriculum in the UK and create the foundation for international expansion.
About the Action for Children-Dell YouthConnect programme
- Action for Children has been supporting children and young people affected by poverty, disability, abuse, or neglect for 140 years.
- Action for Children helps nearly 156,000 children, young people, and their families across the UK; more than 86,000 of these are children and young people under the age of 18.
- Dell YouthConnect is supporting a programme to help both staff and the young people they serve to enhance their effectiveness through new ways of combining ICT use with the substance of social work.
- The programme will provide support to 6 geographic projects clustered in Greater London and Glasgow, each intensively supporting a key group of 8-12 young people and providing wider benefits for 60-plus young people per project.
About Dell
Corporate responsibility is a critical component of Dell’s (NASDAQ: DELL) overall business. For more details visit www.dell.com/corporateresponsibility
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congratulations – look forward to seeing how your work progresses
Young people on housing estates accross Lambeth looking forward to findng out how they can get involved in CDI pilot…. This is so exciting – Hightrees Community Dev Trust looking forward to it… Sandra
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