The Coca-Cola Foundation and INJAZ Al-Arab bring Ripples of Happiness to communities across the Middle East

Press release

Published March 25th, 2012 - 06:55 GMT

Al Bawaba

The Coca-Cola Foundation in partnership with INJAZ Al-Arab are inaugurating the Ripples of Happiness program today. The Program aims to train university students on identifying opportunities in their cities as well as inspiring them to implement projects that will have a positive impact with in 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 long standing strategy to empower youth and foster social responsibility. The programs taking place simultaneously in Universities across Palestine, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, and Jordan.

Throughout the Ripples of Happiness program 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 employees in the Middle East and volunteers from the INJAZ Al-Arab network, the students will be engaging in sustainability focused activities aimed at making apositive impact within their communities.

“The Ripples of Happiness program is an exciting opportunity for students around the Middle East to work directly with Coco-Cola employees and INJAZ Al-Arab to gain important practical learning that will enable them to better contribute to the community around them. In addition students learn real-world work skills that will aid their development and provide them with a better understanding for what is expected of them when they graduate and enter the work force,”stated HH Sheikh Khaled Bin Zayed Bin Saqer Al Nehayan, Chairman, INJAZ Al-Arab and INJAZ-UAE.

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 Imad Benmoussa, General Manager of 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 with in their communities, and so that they create a positive impact on the lives of those around them.”

“On behalf of INJAZ Al-Arab we would like to thank Coca-Cola for working with us on the Ripples of Happiness program and look forward to seeing the results of its success,” added HH Sheikh Khaled Bin Zayed Bin Saqer Al Nehayan.

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 Ahliyya University in Jordan.

Background Information

Coca-Cola

The Coca-Cola Company is the world's largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with nearly 500 sparkling and still brands. Along with Coca-Cola, recognized as the world's most valuable brand, the Company's portfolio includes 12 other billion-dollar brands, including Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, and Coca-Cola Zero. It is globally the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, juices and juice drinks and ready-to-drink teas and coffees.

Consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company's beverages at a rate of nearly 1.6 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, The Coca-Cola Company is focused on initiatives that protect the environment, conserve resources and enhance the economic development of the communities where it operates.

Company Profile

INJAZ Al-Arab

The INJAZ Company Program has two overarching aims. Firstly, to foster an understanding of the world of work and a spirit of entrepreneurship through the principle of ‘Learning by Doing’, and secondly, to encourage young people to think globally about their enterprising potential and activities. In joining the INJAZ Company Program, students become part of a growing and thriving community of ambitious, creative, resourceful and hard-working young men and women who are keen on shaping and transforming opportunities across the Middle East and North Africa region. Through INJAZ Company Program, high school and university students get to learn how to start up their entrepreneurial companies.