New Microsoft initiative seeks to empower youth

Microsoft Qatar has announced a new global initiative, Microsoft YouthSpark, which aims to create opportunities for 300mn youth in more than 100 countries over the next three years. This company-wide initiative includes Citizenship and other company programmes - both new and enhanced - that empower youth to imagine and realise their full potential by connecting them with greater opportunities for education, employment and entrepreneurship. “Through Microsoft YouthSpark we are making a commitment to help 300mn young people around the world achieve their dreams by focusing our Citizenship efforts and other company resources on connecting young people with opportunities for education, employment and entrepreneurship,” Naim Yazbeck, Microsoft’s country manager in Qatar said. “Working closely with other organisations, such as Qatar’s Silatech, we are committed to continuously providing unmatchable services to the Qatari youth to promote and empower small businesses and young entrepreneurs,” he said. Through Microsoft YouthSpark, the company will dedicate the majority of its cash contributions to non-profit organisations that serve the youth population around the world such as Silatech, GlobalGiving, TakinITGlobal, Telecentre.org Foundation, the International Youth Foundation and the Asean Foundation. In addition, Microsoft YouthSpark will promote Office365, free technology tools for all teachers and students to power learning and collaboration, and Skype in the classroom; a free global community for teachers to connect their students with others around the world. As part of the initiative Microsoft is also launching a range of new Citizenship programmes such as Give for Youth, Microsoft Youth Spark Hub and Microsoft Innovate for Good. From GT