Global telecommunications provider Alcatel-Lucent and nonprofit World Education recently announced a three-year initiative aimed at providing youth from disadvantaged communities with educational and digital skill training.
The initiative, called ConnectED, is expected to benefit approximately 13,500 children and adolescents from communities around the world, including Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, China, Egypt, France and India.
According to a release, the program will help participants learn how to use communications technology, such as computers and the internet, to gather information and expand their knowledge of the rest of the world.
Additionally, through the program, the young people will have access to technology they may see in their future careers. Job seekers have found having a knowledge of enterprise technology, such as computers, mobile devices and
business projectors, can improve their chances of being hired.
"ConnectEd will be about using technology to transform the learning, work and life outcomes for disadvantaged youth," said Alcatel-Lucent Foundation executive director Beatrice Tassot.
Alcatel-Lucent will provide $6 million to support the program through its charitable arm, the Alcatel-Lucent Foundation. In addition to education initiatives, the foundation sponsors programs that promote female empowerment and volunteerism in underserved communities.
