The Economist Educational Foundation

We are an independent charity that was set up by staff from inside The Economist newspaper in 2012. We enable disadvantaged young people to join inspiring discussions about the news which teach them to think critically, communicate effectively and understand what’s happening in the world. Building these competencies can change young people's lives; it empowers them to succeed in school, in future work and as citizens.

In many countries, a child’s socio-economic background is still the biggest determining factor in their life chances. We aim to help change this. Young people who regularly take part in our programme can make up to five times more progress in listening, creativity, problem-solving and speaking with confidence. These skills are linked to better outcomes from higher qualifications and wages to wellbeing and overcoming life’s challenges. They learn to listen with an open mind, find common ground, and speak up about global issues that affect them but in which they might otherwise have no say.

 We are a small, dynamic and creative organisation with big plans to grow. We sit within the larger Economist Group and work with teams across the company.