Telefónica Think Big joins Clinton Global Initiative
• CGI endorses Telefónica Think Big campaign to create better future for young generations
• Telefónica driving employment opportunities for young talent across Europe and worldwide
• Telefónica & CGI’s shared mission: To turn ideas into action.
New York – 26 September, 2012 Telefónica’s social action programme – Telefónica Think Big – was yesterday inaugurated into the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI), a movement founded by the 42nd President of the United States to help turn good intentions into real action and results.
Telefónica’s commitment – ‘Telefónica Think Big: A More Entrepreneurial Europe’ – was presented during a special session entitled ‘The Case for Optimism in the 21st Century’ at the CGI Annual Conference in New York City. The session’s focus was on youth empowerment and creating a more sustainable future – issues critical in Europe’s current socio-economic climate.
“With one-in-five youths unemployed today in Western Europe, we are facing a potential lost generation that is ill-equipped to succeed in the modern digital job market,” said José María Álvarez-Pallete, Chief Operating Officer, Telefónica. “Recognising that the social and economic future of Europe is at stake, Telefónica Think Big is taking real action to improve educational opportunities across the region – in particular providing sorely-needed skills in the digital technology and entrepreneurial space.”
Telefónica has pledged $37 million annually towards five programs that comprise the Think Big initiative, including the Think Big Youth Movement; Talentum; Wayra and Campus Party. Telefónica Think Big aims to directly impact 250,000 individuals in Europe by the end of 2015.
Telefónica’s commitment to the CGI was formalised when José María Sanz Magallon, Telefónica’s Director of International Corporate Communications, joined Chelsea Clinton on stage at CGI’s Annual Conference yesterday.
In 2012, Telefónica committed to launch a collection of progressive programs stemming from a belief in the power of young ideas and the best technology to create a potent force for progress across Europe. . The four initiatives collectively known as ‘Telefonica Think Big’, were launched to address these critical issues facing European youth: a lack of job opportunities, a lag in European entrepreneurship, and a shortage of youth with digital skills. Each programme encourages innovative thinking, entrepreneurialism and digital technology – stimulating young ideas and young enterprise across the region.
ENDS
For more information contact:
Simon Lloyd | Telefónica Europe
European Head of External Communications
m +44 (0)7912 072777 m: +44 (0)7718 188591
simon.lloyd@o2.com
Natalie Homer | Telefónica Europe
Media Relations Manager
m +44 (0)7718 188591
natalie.homer@o2.com
About Telefónica
Telefónica is one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world in terms of market capitalisation and number of customers. From this outstanding position in the industry, and with its mobile, fixed and broadband businesses as the key drivers of its growth, Telefonica has focused its strategy on becoming a leading company in the digital world. The company has a significant presence in 25 countries and a customer base that amounts more than 309 million accesses around the world. Telefonica has a strong presence in Spain, Europe and Latin America, where the company focuses an important part of its growth strategy. Telefonica is a 100% listed company, with more than 1.5 million direct shareholders. Its share capital currently comprises 4.479.787.122 ordinary shares traded on the Spanish Stock Market (Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao and Valencia) and on those in London, New York, Lima, and Buenos Aires.
About Telefónica Europe
Telefónica Europe is a business division of Telefónica providing communications services for over 103 million customers in six countries (Spain, UK, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Ireland) representing more than a fifth of the European Union population.
About Telefónica Think Big
In March 2012 Telefonica announced ‘Telefonica Think Big’ – a 2015 commitment to a set of initiatives promoting entrepreneurial spirit in young Europe. By investing in the ideas and education of tens of thousands of young people, and by supporting young technology start-ups, Telefonica is investing in the future growth of its business and playing its part in stimulating the growth of next generation Europe. Each initiative encourages innovative thinking, entrepreneurialism and digital innovation – stimulating young ideas and young enterprise across the region.
About the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI)
Established in 2005 by President Bill Clinton, the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) convenes global leaders to create and implement innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges. CGI Annual Meetings have brought together more than 150 heads of state, 20 Nobel Prize laureates, and hundreds of leading CEOs, heads of foundations and NGOs, major philanthropists, and members of the media. To date CGI members have made more than 2,100 commitments, which are already improving the lives of nearly 400 million people in more than 180 countries. When fully funded and implemented, these commitments will be valued at $69.2 billion.
CGI’s Annual Meeting is held each September in New York City. CGI also convenes CGI America, a meeting focused on collaborative solutions to economic recovery in the United States, and CGI University (CGI U), which brings together undergraduate and graduate students to address pressing challenges in their community or around the world. For more information, visit clintonglobalinitiative.org and follow us on Twitter @ClintonGlobal and Facebook at facebook.com/clintonglobalinitiative
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