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NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release
August 6, 2008

JA WORLDWIDE RECEIVES SPECIAL STATUS FROM UNITED NATIONS

Colorado Springs, Colo. - JA Worldwide (Junior Achievement) has been awarded special consultative status to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Special consultative status is granted to organizations with expertise in a particular field of activity covered by the Economic and Social Council. Through this status, JA is recognized as an important organization in issues relating to economic development as it relates to young people. Organizations with consultative status are allowed to participate, present written contribution and make statements to the Council and its subsidiary bodies at the United Nations.

The ECOSOC serves as the U.N.'s central forum for discussing international economic and social issues, and for formulating policy recommendations to the United Nations. ECOSOC is responsible for "promoting higher standards of living, full employment, and economic and social progress; identifying solutions to international economic, social and health problems; facilitating international cultural and educational cooperation; and encouraging universal respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms."

Specifically, Junior Achievement programs promote economic development around the world by teaching young people entrepreneurship, work readiness, and financial literacy skills; it currently reaches 8.3 million youth in 119 countries.

Sean C. Rush, president and chief executive officer of JA Worldwide, noted, "Receiving consultative status from the United Nations will allow us to more closely collaborate with U.N. members who can help grow the impact of our programs. In turn, our programs help the young citizens of U.N. Member States contribute to the economic growth and sustainability of their communities through job and wealth creation."

About JA Worldwide® (Junior Achievement)
Junior Achievement is the world's largest organization dedicated to inspiring and preparing young people to succeed in a global economy. Through a dedicated volunteer network, Junior Achievement provides in-school and after-school programs for students which focus on three key content areas: work readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy. Today, 139 individual area operations reach more than four million students in the United States, with an additional 4.3 million students served by operations in 118 other countries worldwide. For more information, visit www.ja.org.

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