30 November 2005

Cairo, Egypt: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Egypt and Save the Children have signed an agreement to grant "UN Volunteers Associate" status to more than 130 employees from companies such as British Petroleum, Barclays, Procter and Gamble, Pepsi and Shell. The new volunteer associates will teach preparatory school students skills to enhance their job opportunities.

Under the programme, called INJAZ or “achievement” in Arabic, employee volunteers will spend 10 hours teaching and inspiring students, giving them practical knowledge and increasing their confidence to enter the workforce. The programme is designed to delivery participatory learning approach, which aim to foster creative thinking, critical problem solving and interpersonal communication skills. 

This agreement with the UNDP would reinforce the commitment of the corporate volunteers -- empowering individuals, building solidarity and encouraging participation.  The UNV Associate status will also integrate the corporate volunteers into the UN family in Egypt and will give them access to a worldwide network of volunteer-involving Organizations, providing the programme a source in mobilizing and advocating its goals worldwide. 

INJAZ programme was first established in Jordan by Save the Children in 1999. In October 2001, it evolved into a non-governmental organization. Save the Children is now supporting the same initiative in Egypt, specifically students in Cairo, Giza, Menia and Alexandria. It intends to follow the Jordanian case -- to turn into a non-governmental organization. Now in its third  year, Injaz has reached more than 2,500 students in 18 preparatory schools with the help of 85 volunteers from 10 major private sector companies.