(UPM, Helsinki, 20 November 2017 at 11.30 EET) -UPM supports young people whose secondary education is at risk due to the family's low income through Eväitä Elämälle programme by Save the Children organisation. UPM's support is targeted at buying learning materials so that young people can continue their studies regardless of the family's financial situation. The study materials aid will be directed to the local associations of the Save the Children organisation.
In Finland, 15 per cent of young people have not completed upper secondary education by the age of 25. Nearly half of the young people without qualification or education have had to cut or drop their studies due to lack of money. The costs of upper secondary education are caused by learning materials in particular. Study materials aid is provided for the textbooks and other materials, such as work equipment, used at secondary schools and vocational institutions. The goal is that the beneficiaries can complete a matriculation examination or a vocational qualification.
"As a sponsor of Eväitä Elämälle programme we are promoting equality and inclusion among young people as well as increasing their opportunities to build future in their chosen studies. This is important for the young themselves but also for society as a whole and for its wellbeing, "says Pirkko Harrela , Executive Vice President, Stakeholder Relations at UPM.
"Under the Eväitä Elämälle programme, 1,458 children from low-income families received aid for learning materials and hobbies from Save the Children last year. Our recent study shows clearly that the schooling costs are a problem for many. Nearly 60 per cent of the respondents felt that the costs of secondary education have caused them or their families financial challenges,"says Hanna Markkula-Kivisilta , Secretary General from Save the Children Finland.
UPM's societal engagement activities are closely connected to our Biofore strategy and responsibility targets. UPM focuses on projects that are relevant to both UPM's business and responsibility goals. The focus areas of UPM's Biofore Share and Care programme are: Reading & Learning, Engaging with communities, Responsible water use and Boosting bioinnovations. Read more on Biofore Share and Care programme on UPM website .
For further information please contact: Pirkko Harrela, EVP, Stakeholder Relations, UPM, pirkko.harrela@upm.com , tel. +358 2041 50588 Hanna Markkula-Kivisilta, Secretary General, Save the Children Finland, hanna.markkula-kivisilta@pelastakaalapset.fi , tel. +358 50 462 1148
UPM, Media Relations Mon-Fri 9.00-16.00 EET tel. +358 40 588 3284 media@upm.com
Save the Children Finland Save the Children Finland is a politically and religiously independent non-governmental organization founded in 1922, which fights for children's rights in order to immediately and permanently improve children's lives in Finland and all over the world. Save the Children Finland is part of the Save the Children organization, which operates in over 100 countries to improve children's lives. Our vision is a world where every child has the right to live, to be protected, to develop and to participate. Our mission is to improve the way children are treated and to immediately and permanently improve children's lives. Additional information: www.pelastakaalapset.fi
UPM UPM leads the forest-based bioindustry into a sustainable, innovation-driven and exciting future across six business areas: UPM Biorefining, UPM Energy, UPM Raflatac, UPM Specialty Papers, UPM Paper ENA and UPM Plywood. UPM provides sustainable and safe solutions to the growing global consumption. Products are made of renewable and recyclable materials. The group employs around 19,300 people worldwide and its annual sales are approximately EUR 10 billion. UPM shares are listed on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki. UPM - The Biofore Company - www.upm.com
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