Samsung Electronics’ corporate citizenship programs aim to inspire and educate younger generations, guiding students around the world towards achieving their dreams. Behind the scenes of these programs are Samsung employees across the world devoting their time, energy, and effort to creating a better tomorrow.

The #JourneyToABetterFuture series presents the voices of Samsung employees in charge of youth education programs worldwide. Alongside the employees’ stories in helping young people to become the next generation of leaders, the series shares the stories of students from Samsung’s corporate citizenship programs about how they are achieving their dreams.

“We are on a journey to a better future by supporting customized education that helps young people grow into the next generation of innovators.”

Launched in December 2020, Samsung Electronics’ corporate citizenship program Samsung Solve for Tomorrow has been reaching new heights in the United Kingdom. Sophie Edgerley Harris, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Samsung Electronics UK, says that she has witnessed many young people grow with Solve for Tomorrow.

Solve for Tomorrow is an educational program for young people to develop ideas for a better society and cultivate problem-solving skills. Sophie and her team aim to support students to explore various societal issues through Solve for Tomorrow, and foster skills and knowledge for the future. In 2021, the team organized inspiring Future Talks and On Demand online courses, where young people interact with the UK’s top experts from various fields on topics relating to Education, Diversity, Equality & Inclusion, Sustainability and Social Isolation, and how technology can contribute to solving problems in our society.

“So far, 4,500 young people have participated in the UK’s Solve for Tomorrow program since its launch. In light of the pandemic and social distancing guidelines we pivoted all aspects of the program online earlier this year, although are now seeing a return to in-person events” says Sophie. “Solve for Tomorrow aims to give young people the opportunity to find their own solutions on how technology can help tackle societal issues, especially following the uncertainties triggered by the pandemic. I feel proud to be a part of the young people’s journey to finding answers for a better tomorrow.”

Sophie’s role as a Corporate Citizenship manager is to increase people’s access to opportunities and support them to acquire the skills needed for a technology-driven future. For Sophie, it is important to tune in to the voices of the young participants of the program to ensure they’re receiving the access and opportunities they want most.

“We receive great ideas from the young people that take part, all of who are from different backgrounds and experiences. Those who take part in Samsung’s educational corporate citizenship programs say that they are exposed to a different range of opportunities and possibilities available to them and help them feel more confident in themselves. When we get this kind of feedback, it shows that we are on the right track and it inspires us to continue developing and improving the program.”

The effects of the pandemic have been felt strongly across the education landscape. Earlier this year Samsung conducted research on 1,000 UK 16-18 year olds not already in higher education. 40% of students were rethinking their future education with only 54% planning on attending university to get a degree. Although 73% of those surveyed already had their future careers mapped out, more than three-quarters were worried that these plans have been compromised by the change of the education landscape due to COVID-19.

The team in the UK were reminded from these survey results about the importance of providing alternative opportunities for young people in the UK, now more than ever.

“Always be curious. Ask questions, challenge things, and design your own future. Solve for Tomorrow is your chance to explore the role tech can play in solving some of society’s biggest issues! We will be with you and your journey to a better future.”

Find out more about Sophie and the UK’s youth who wish to create a better world in the video below.

Journey to a Better Future - United Kingdom | Samsung