Formula 1 and Official Charity Partner UNICEF are fundraising at this weekend’s British Grand Prix to help the world’s most vulnerable children access quality education and aid UNICEF’s humanitarian response around the world.
Over the next three years, it is estimated that the partnership between Formula 1 and UNICEF, which was announced earlier this year, could help 6.5 million children from vulnerable and marginalised communities access quality education, including in key areas such as Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM), and enable UNICEF to provide temporary learning places for children in emergencies.
This weekend, fans at Silverstone will have the chance to show their support for this important cause, with UNICEF volunteers stationed throughout the Fan Zone and Paddock to collect donations. Fans can also donate by visiting the UNICEF website or by scanning the QR code on one of the interactive donation posters in the Fan Zone and Paddock or via the fundraising video that will be played on the big screens at Silverstone over the Grand Prix weekend.
UNICEF’s State of Global Learning Poverty 2022 update estimates that in 2022, 70 per cent of the world’s 10-year-olds lacked basic literacy skills. Limited access to the internet and digital devices, an issue exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has widened inequalities and the digital divide. Those from disadvantaged backgrounds were less likely than their peers to have access to the internet to be able to continue their learning.
A significant focus of the partnership with Formula 1 will be to improve digital access through the expansion of UNICEF’s Learning Passport – a portable digital platform that enables children to continue learning online and offline. The Learning Passport is currently operational in 26 countries. Formula 1’s support will help UNICEF expand the programme to an additional 19 countries and enable the launch of an offline version for children in Mexico and Brazil. Formula 1 and UNICEF will use their commitment and innovation to help millions of children to obtain the skills they need to realise their potential and succeed in the workplace.
Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1, said:
Formula 1 is excited to support UNICEF’s fundraising efforts at this weekend’s British Grand Prix. Improving global education is one of the key pillars to making society better, and we want to use Formula 1’s global platform and growth to shine a light on some of the key issues facing the world today. I hope our dedicated and passionate fanbase can do their part and get behind this incredible cause.
Jon Sparkes, Chief Executive of The UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK), said:
The world is facing a growing learning crisis, with millions of children continuing to miss out on school and access to the technology they need to learn and flourish. Investment in education is fundamental to the development of children and young people and to building the societies and economies they need for the future. UNICEF believes that sports play a unique role in bringing people together, helping us to address the biggest issues affecting children, including those caught up in humanitarian emergencies. This Grand Prix, I would like to thank the F1 community for coming together to raise much-needed funds towards our work for children so that more children have access to quality learning and the skills training they need to succeed in school, work and life.
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