Nael Samir Fayez (second from right), CEO of INJAZ-Saudi Arabia; Antoine Tayyar (third from left), Public Affairs and Communications Director of Coca-Cola Middle East, along with other company executives during the launch of “Ripples of Happiness” program Sunday. JEDDAH – The Coca-Cola Foundation in partnership with INJAZ-Saudi Arabia represented by Mr. Nael Fayez, CEO, inaugurated the "Ripples of Happiness" program Sunday. The program is aimed at training university students on identifying opportunities in their cities as well as inspiring them to implement projects that will have a positive impact within 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-Saudi Arabia's longstanding strategy to empower youth and foster social responsibility. The program is taking place simultaneously in Universities across Palestine, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, and Jordan. In Saudi Arabia, the Ripples of Happiness program is hosted in College of Business Administration (CBA). Throughout the Ripples of Happiness program the 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 team in the Middle East and volunteers from the INJAZ Al-Arab network, the students will be engaging in sustainability focused activities aimed at making a positive impact within their communities. "This program brings such a value in achieving our goal, which is aimed to preparing our Saudi youth to be leaders in tomorrow's world of entrepreneurship" said Nael Samir Fayez, CEO of INJAZ-Saudi Arabia. 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-Saudi Arabia, 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 Antoine Tayyar, Public Affairs and Communications Director 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 within their communities, and so that they create a positive impact on the lives of those around them."
