About |
ORT America is the primary fundraising arm of World ORT, the largest nongovernmental education and training organization worldwide. The ORT network has a presence in 63 countries, educating and training more than 300,000 students and beneficiaries annually. Founded in St. Petersburg in 1880 to provide impoverished Jews with marketable skills, today's curricula has evolved to meet the needs of a complex marketplace, in such cutting-edge fields as animation and communications, health professions, robotics, nanotechnology, bioengineering and biochemistry. ORT has impacted more than 3 million disadvantaged students, equipping them with the educational opportunities and the technological skills to receive a high caliber education and become productive members of their communities and the world. ORT is an organization that for 130 years has remained at the forefront of service to the Jewish people and the greater community, always remaining faithful to our original mission — to provide education and training opportunities that enable people to lead independent lives with dignity and pride as contributing members of their communities and society.
United Nations dignitaries joined ORT America and World ORT leaders at UN headquarters in November 2009 to mark the 130th anniversary of the ORT global network and its 50-year International Cooperation unit. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said: “ORT is a valued partner in global efforts to achieve education for all. Education at every age plays an empowering and essential role in reducing poverty, building sustainable livelihoods and promoting stability.” And the UN has granted World ORT the honor of Consultative Status to its Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).