When all children have access to a quality education rooted in human rights and gender equality, it creates a ripple effect of opportunity that influences generations to come.
Dedicated to the belief that access to education makes a lasting difference in young people’s lives, the Western Union Foundation has been a committed partner of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF by supporting a range of UNICEF education programs since 2006. In 2012, Western Union, a leader in global payment services, and the Western Union Foundation deepened their commitment through an innovative project:
the PASS Initiative.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8aWnNFYXkE
As part of the
PASS initiative, Western Union and the Western Union Foundation have committed to donating a minimum of $1.8 million to continue to expand their support of UNICEF education programs.
Western Union is the global partner of the world’s largest club competition, the UEFA Europa League. Western Union created the
PASS Initiative in order to leverage this sponsorship to benefit children’s education. With this initiative, every pass made during the 2013-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15 UEFA Europa League seasons will trigger donations, from Western Union. These donations will ultimately contribute toward UNICEF’s efforts to deliver one million days of school. In its first year, Western Union's
PASS Initiative supported the following UNICEF education projects:
Supporting teacher training
In
Nigeria, Western Union is supporting teacher training, contributing to UNICEF’s efforts to meet the country’s need for 1.3 million more* qualified educators in the country, and as a result improving the overall learning experience, student retention and achievement. By focusing on training female teachers, UNICEF also aims to encourage the enrollment of female students.
Educating out of school adolescent boys
In
Jamaica, the funding will support programs that aim to achieve higher levels of attendance, retention, numeracy and literacy among secondary school aged children, with a focus on boys. These programs will reach young people in Jamaica’s rural areas where drop-out rates and learning outcomes for boys are of particular concern.
Providing post-primary educationfor disadvantaged children
In
Turkey, the funding will focus on ensuring that disadvantaged children and ethnic minorities have access to a quality secondary education. In many rural and low income areas in Turkey, only 30 percent of children attend secondary school. These programs place emphasis on vocational education that best aligns with local labor market needs, improving young people’s earning potential and prospects for future employment.
Click here to see a video on the partnership and its significance in bringing quality education to young people around the world.
We would like to thank Western Union for its generous support and for believing that education is critical to the development both of societies and of individuals, transforming lives and breaking the cycle of poverty that traps so many children.
* Nigerian National Commission for Colleges of Education Executive Secretary Prof. Muhammed Junaid, as reported by the News Agency of Nigerian September 2012
