PRESS RELEASE: IYF Rings the Nasdaq Opening Bell in Celebration of International Youth Day 2024
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[NEW YORK, NY] –The International Youth Foundation (IYF) proudly rang the opening bell at the Nasdaq MarketSite today in honor of International Youth Day 2024. This momentous occasion celebrates the transformative power of young people and their role in driving digital innovation for sustainable development.
The event was a highlight of IYF's month-long celebration of International Youth Day, which this year focuses on the theme, “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development.” The theme underscores the importance of youth-led digital initiatives in achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.
Christina Sass, who joined IYF as President & CEO in the spring of 2024, led the bell-ringing ceremony and delivered inspiring remarks to mark the occasion. “Today’s bell ringing is a powerful reminder of the global impact young people can have when they are empowered with the right tools and opportunities. IYF is committed to amplifying their voices and supporting their journey toward a sustainable future,” said Sass.
Prior to joining IYF, Christina co-founded Andela, an on-ramp to the digital economy for thousands of young technologists across Africa who are now full-time team members in growing tech companies around the world. Today, Andela is the world’s largest private talent marketplace with over 150,000 technologists operating in over 130 countries. She and her cofounders saw firsthand how digital skills can unlock lifelong career paths for young people and she is continuing that work through IYF.
For nearly 35 years, IYF has connected young people with opportunities to transform their lives. Key initiatives include empowering young people to take control of their futures, providing skills and resources for better job prospects, and creating environments that support youth development. IYF’s unique assets include collaborative strategies, youth-informed digital solutions, experiential life skills curricula, workforce development programs, social entrepreneurship networks, and tools for gender equity and social inclusion.
“This event symbolizes our unwavering commitment to the next generation,” said IYF Board Chair Joseph M. Matalon, Chairman of ICD Group Holdings. “As we ring the Nasdaq bell, we celebrate the achievements of young people worldwide and reaffirm our dedication to creating more inclusive and equitable opportunities for all,” he added.
The bell-ringing ceremony was live-streamed on Nasdaq's website, allowing viewers from around the world to join in this celebration of youth empowerment. The live-stream link is available for replay on Nasdaq, Facebook, and Twitter X.
Stay connected and join IYF in celebrating the power of youth and digital innovation all of August!
For media inquiries, please contact Arpine Baghdasarian, IYF Director of Communications and Marketing, or +1-410-951-2314.
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About IYF
The International Youth Foundation® (IYF®) stands by, for, and with young people. Founded in 1990 through a generous grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, IYF is a global nonprofit with programs directly benefiting 7.7 million young people and operations spanning 100 countries so far. Together with local community-based organizations and a network of corporate, foundation, and multilateral partners, we connect young people with opportunities to transform their lives. We believe that educated, employed, engaged young people possess the power to solve the world’s toughest problems, and we focus our youth development efforts on three linked objectives: unlocking agency, driving economic opportunity, and making systems more inclusive. Our vision is to see young people inspired and equipped to realize the future they want. The International Youth Foundation: Transforming Lives, Together. To learn more about the International Youth Foundation, please join us at iyfglobal.org.