ChildFund International, NetHope and Intel Corporation are working together on a netbook pilot project in Brazil to develop a “Graduate Program” aimed at preparing youth in current ChildFund International programs to enter the job market as “digital citizens.” The pilot aims to streamline sponsorship processes, while also enhancing child-centered programming so children can develop and grow into productive adults. Another goal is to enable youth to enter promising job markets and to create their own jobs.

This initiative comes at a critical time as nations place high demand on innovative and effective solutions to the social and economic issues that impact youth across the globe. In 2008, the global unemployment rate in the 15-25 age group was 12.2 percent, nearly three times higher than the unemployment rate for adults. And youth unemployment is expected to increase in the coming decade.

“With such a high unemployment rate for youth, we need to find ways to accommodate them,” said Anne Scott, vice president of Global Programs for ChildFund International. “In order to do that, they need to be digital citizens and they need to be prepared to navigate as businesspeople.”

The program intends to enable disadvantaged youth by helping them obtain government-issued identification, electronic banking capabilities, job skills training and education on the use of technology for business and marketing activities. By equipping youth with access to services such as Kiva and eBay, enabling them to transact electronically through e-banking and obtaining other necessary credentials (such as a passport or driver’s license), the initiative will help youth build their own futures through entrepreneurial skills and innovation.

“This type of technology solution is in high demand across our NetHope members and their Developing World programs,” stated Dr. William Brindley, CEO of NetHope. “Technology can be a significant enabler for the data collection and training needs of our NGO members, especially those working in rural remote areas. We at NetHope are pleased to partner with the ChildFund and Intel teams to bring the true power of the Public Private Partnership.”

The initiative will be unveiled as part of the 17th World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT) taking place May 25-27 in Amsterdam, where the most innovative minds in business, politics and academia discuss important world developments to solve global issues locally.

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