Millions of school-age children worldwide are not in school, leaving them vulnerable to abuse, neglect or being forced into labour. We fund programmes that promote children’s rights, giving them access to education, healthcare and a sustainable family income so they can create more opportunities for themselves and their families.
We have committed Euro 60 million since the year 2000 to our partners UNICEF and Save the Children to fighting the root causes of child labout in India and Pakistan. Together we will reach 16 million children by 2017!
UNICEF estimates that 69 million school-age children are not in school.
School offers children a safe environment with support, supervision and socialisation. Beyond regular school subjects, children also learn life skills that can help them prevent diseases and improve their health, as well as that of their family and community.
Access to quality education reduces a child’s vulnerability to abuse, exploitation and disease. Girls particularly are at greater risk of such abuse when they aren’t in school. Getting girls into schools and ensuring they stay and learn has proven to be of tremendous importance.
Through our annual Soft Toys for Education campaign, we also help fund UNICEF's Schools for Africa programme and Save the Children’s educational projects in Asia and Eastern Europe.