Western Union’s Pass Backed By Unicef
The Western Union Company, a global partner of the UEFA Europa League, and the Western Union Foundation have announced they will collaborate with UNICEF on its PASS Initiative – which turns every successful pass in the UEFA Europa League competition into funding that supports education for young people around the world.
The PASS initiative is fronted by football legend Patrick Vieira and started during the Group Stage of the UEFA Europa League Season 2012/13.
The season concludes on Wednesday with the UEFA Europa League Final 2013 between Chelsea FC and SL Benfica at the Amsterdam ArenA.
Through the program, which is expected to run for the three years of Western Union’s sponsorship of the competition, the brand says it is committed to supporting education in select countries around the world.
The collaboration with UNICEF will initially focus on education programs in Nigeria, Jamaica and Turkey, and the funding will support projects including teacher training and curriculum development; financial literacy, vocational and life skills training for adolescents; school improvements; and more.
The Western Union Foundation’s grant will enable UNICEF to scale these interventions, aiming to provide access to one million days of education for children.
Hil + Knowlton Strategies, recently crowned Sport Agency of the Year at the recent BT Sport Industry Awards, are working with Western Union to promote their UEFA Europa League sponsorship campaign and PASS initiative.
Western Union look back on a thrilling 2012/13 competition at Sport Industry TV.
On the day of the UEFA Europa League Final 2013, Chelsea FC and Nigeria striker Victor Moses, who’s so far contributed 161 passes, said: ‘Western Union’s PASS initiative has done a great job in helping bring education to even the most under privileged countries, and I’ve been honored to be a part of such a fantastic campaign. The UEFA Europa League is a massive tournament and we’re all looking forward to what should be a great final.’
Tim Hunter, International Fundraising Director at UNICEF, added: ‘We are grateful for Western Union’s continued support of UNICEF. This expanded commitment to education will help UNICEF invest in training teachers, and provide vocational and life skills guidance to improve young people’s chances of completing school and successfully transition into the workplace as adults.’
‘We are proud to work with Western Union to help more children access a quality education and transform their lives.’
Vieira, the former AS Cannes, AC Milan, Arsenal FC, Juventus FC, FC Internazionale Milano, Manchester City FC and France player, commented: ‘Where I come from, opportunities for a quality education are rare.’
‘Football was my ticket to success, but for the vast majority of young people, education is the key that allows them to become whatever they want to be. That’s why I support this campaign. It will benefit students, teachers and schools in places like Senegal where I was born and lived until moving to France at the age of eight.’
