The
Western Union Company (NYSE:WU), a leader in global payment services and new
Global Partner of the UEFA Europa League, and the Western Union Foundation,
today announced they will turn every successful pass in this season’s
competition into funding to support one day’s education for young people around
the world.
Western
Union and football star Patrick Vieira unveil PASS around UEFA Europa League to
deliver one million school days.
Called
PASS, the initiative will be fronted by former international football star
Patrick Vieira and start during the Group Stage of the UEFA Europa League
Season 2012/13, which kicks off on September 20 across Europe. The initiative
aims to reach one million school days over the next three seasons and builds on
the work the company has already done to support education globally.
“Moving
money for better is at the heart of what we do, and education is one of the
main reasons our customers send money,” said Hikmet Ersek, Western Union
President and CEO. “According to UNESCO1, 71 million bright, hardworking
students globally are not enrolled in secondary or vocational education. It’s a
tremendous loss of economic and human potential, since each extra year of
school can increase an individual’s potential economic opportunity. Through
PASS, we intend to harness the power of football to build awareness of this
challenge as well as deliver on-the-ground support that will make a difference
to young people and their communities.”
The
initiative will provide teacher training and student scholarships through
nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), with an initial focus on
eleven countries – Brazil, China, Colombia, Jamaica, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria,
Senegal, Romania, Russia and Turkey.
“Where
I come from, opportunities for a quality education are rare,” explained Vieira
the former AS Cannes, AC Milan, Arsenal FC, Juventus, FC Internazionale Milano,
Manchester City FC and French international player, who was born in Senegal
before moving to France at the age of eight and is currently football
development executive at Manchester City FC.
“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’m
supporting this campaign. It will benefit students, teachers and schools across
the world, particularly in places that need it most, like Senegal where I was
born,” said Vieira.
Through
the UEFA Europa League’s global audience, football fans from Africa, the
Americas, Asia as well as Europe, will also be given the chance to add to the
fund during the season through a range of online and social media mechanics.
