The Coca-Cola Foundation and INJAZ Al-Arab bring “Ripples of Happiness” to communities across the Middle East
The Coca-Cola Foundation in partnership with INJAZ Al-Arab represented by INJAZ Lebanon are inaugurating the Ripples of Happiness program today. The Program is aimed at training university students on identifying opportunities in their cities as well as inspiring them to implement projects that will have a positive impact within their communities. The Coca-Cola Foundation has supported sustainable activities worldwide in 206 countries where The Coca-Cola Company operates since 1984. The Ripples of Happiness Program falls in line with both The Coca-Cola Foundation and INJAZ Al-Arab’s longstanding strategy to empower youth and foster social responsibility. The program is taking place simultaneously in Universities across Palestine, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, and Jordan.
In Lebanon, the Ripples of Happiness program is hosted by the American University of Beirut and the Lebanese American University and commences on March 16.
Throughout the Ripples of Happiness program the students will have the opportunity to learn a wide range of fundamental corporate social responsibility concepts and important principles for work readiness. With training and mentoring from a team consisting of volunteers from Coca-Cola team in the Middle East and volunteers from the INJAZ Al-Arab network, the students will be engaging in sustainability focused activities aimed at making a positive impact within their communities.
Mrs. Dima Khoury, Executive Director, INJAZ Lebanon commented on the occasion: “The youth unemployment rate in Lebanon is 22.6 %, with 45% of the entire population under the age of 24. At INJAZ, we are bringing business and entrepreneurial skills to youth offering them the opportunity to take their future into their own hands. It is in this context that we can create a vibrant, dynamic youth able to undertake their role as agents of change in their communities.”
The Coca-Cola Foundation will support the pilot of the projects implemented by each university. A judging panel combining representatives from the Coca-Cola Foundation, INJAZ Al-Arab, and various community leaders will then join forces to choose the top community project in each market. The winning project will receive a grant to support the implementation of the project on a larger scale.
“The role of youth within their communities is growing, and with this growth comes great responsibility,” said Antoine Tayyar, Public Affairs and Communication Director, Coca-Cola Middle East. “The Ripples of Happiness program is aimed at offering the youth the opportunity to be empowered and trained, so that they play an active role within their communities, and so that they create a positive impact on the lives of those around them.”
The Ripples of Happiness program will also launch at the following universities: • Bethlehem University and Beir Zeit University in Palestine • University of Bahrain and Royal University for Women in Bahrain • College of Business Administration for Men and Women in Saudi Arabia • American University of Beirut and Lebanese American University in Lebanon • University of Jordan and Al Amman Ahliyya University in Jordan
For more information on the program please visit: www.ripplesofhappiness.com
About The Coca-Cola Company
The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is the world’s largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands. Led by Coca-Cola, the world’s most valuable brand, our Company’s portfolio features 15 billion dollar brands including Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, Powerade, Minute Maid, Simply, Georgia and Del Valle. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, ready-to-drink coffees, and juices and juice drinks. Through the world’s largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy our beverages at a rate of 1.7 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that reduce our environmental footprint, support active, healthy living, create a safe, inclusive work environment for our associates, and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. Together with our bottling partners, we rank among the world’s top 10 private employers with more than 700,000 system employees. For more information, please visit www.thecoca-colacompany.com or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/CocaColaCo.
About The Coca Cola Foundation
Founded in 1984, the Foundation was established in the U.S. and grants are awarded throughout the year. The Foundation is committed to investing its time, expertise and resources to help develop and maintain vibrant, sustainable and local communities. At the Coca-Cola Foundation, these goals are met by partnering with organizations around the globe to support initiatives and programs that respond in a meaningful way to community needs and priorities.
