July 18 2016

GoTeach: Delivering opportunity for young people

SOS Children’s Villages and DHL partnership presented at the UN as an innovative way to help achieve key development goals

NEW YORK - SOS Children’s Villages and Deutsche Post DHL Group showcased their GoTeach partnership to strengthen youth empowerment and employability at a UN event in New York. The two partners invited other organisations and companies to use similar ventures to help achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“The partnership connects young people between 15-25 years old living in alternative care or families at risk of separation with local DHL employees and programmes”, Sofía García García, the SOS Children’s Villages Representative to the UN, said during today’s presentation at the United Nations. “The goal is providing them with their first job opportunity, through activities such as career guidance or job training. But above all, it offers the young people trust.”

GoTeach was presented at the UN Partnership Exchange, part of the high-level political forum that helps review progress and share good practices for the achievement of the SDGs.

More than 7,000 young people living in alternative care have participated in the partnership since it was established in 2011. The programme has grown from four to 26 countries.

GoTeach could serve as a model to help improve job prospects (relevant to SDG 8) and reduce inequality (SDG 10), Ms García García said. It is also in line with the new 2030 Strategy of SOS Children’s Villages, which aims to use its global federation in 134 countries and territories to help realise key SDGs related to children and youth.

“The model is intended to be open and replicated by other companies and NGOs”, she said, citing its success in inspiring and empowering young people who have participated. “We will be happy to share with you the experience and our lessons learnt.”

GoTeach is credited with helping young people learn basic skills and get work experience while also encouraging entrepreneurship.

“The GoTeach partnership with SOS Children’s Villages has proved successful in supporting and empowering young people from disadvantaged backgrounds on their way to independence and employment”, said Christoph Selig, head of GoTeach for Deutsche Post DHL Group. “We are pleased about the opportunity to present this impactful initiative to global leaders at the High-Level Political Forum at the United Nations.”

What began as a pilot in four countries has expanded to 26 countries in Latin America, Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe. The DHL employees at all levels volunteer their expertise and time to work with SOS teens and young people.

GoTeach was launched in El Salvador in 2014. Today there are partnerships in at least 26 countries. SOS Children's Villages International / file photo

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