Istanbul, Turkey -- This week, the International Youth Foundation (IYF) is convening top leaders of youth-serving organizations, global companies, and governmental institutions from around the world to discuss global trends and the latest advancements in youth development within the broader context of a rapidly changing world. “Sharing Knowledge: Advancing Innovation,” is the theme of the conference opening Friday, September 19 at the Dedeman Hotel, and hosted by Türkiye Egitim Gönüllüleri Vakfi (TEGV), a highly respected Turkish organization and member of the IYF Global Partner Network.

IYF’s 2008 Global Partner Meeting brings together more than 100 experts in the field of youth development, representing more than 50 organizations from 38 countries. The meeting includes top representatives from global corporations and international institutions who support youth programs, including Nokia, Microsoft, Samsung, USAID, the World Bank, and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Says IYF’s CEO Bill Reese, “This biennual gathering presents a unique opportunity for our partners from all over the world to come together to share what’s working in youth development and discuss how to harness the collective strength of this remarkable group to be a real catalyst for change in the lives of today’s young people.” Reese added, “Given the many challenges facing the world’s youth, it is critical that we keep abreast of world events and explore the impact of innovative technologies to promote more effective and sustainable programs.”

As part of the program, IYF and Microsoft will sign a Memorandum of Understanding expanding their global cooperation through a focused, leveraged development assistance program for a broad range of youth and ICT-focused employment, education, health and civic engagement projects throughout the world.

About the International Youth Foundation
The International Youth Foundation (IYF) invests in the extraordinary potential of young people. Founded in 1990, IYF builds and maintains a worldwide community of businesses, governments, and civil society organizations committed to empowering youth to be healthy, productive, and engaged citizens. IYF programs are catalysts of change that help young people obtain a quality education, gain employability skills, make healthy choices, and improve their communities. To learn more visit www.iyfnet.org.

About The Educational Volunteers Foundation of Turkey
The Educational Volunteers Foundation of Turkey (TEGV) was founded on January 23, 1995 to contribute to the educational needs of primary school children and offer them basic life skills. TEGV strives to create and implement educational programs and extracurricular activities for children, help them grow as rational, self-confident, peace-loving, inquisitive, cognizant individuals who can put to use their inner creativity, commit to the basic principles and values of the Turkish Republic and do not discriminate against others based on gender, race, religion or language. To learn more visit www.tegv.org