AMSTERDAM, May 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --
The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU), a leader in global payment
services and Global Partner of the UEFA Europa League, and the
Western Union Foundation, today announced they will collaborate
with UNICEF, the world's leading international children's
organization. Western Union's PASS Initiative turns every
successful pass in the UEFA Europa League competition into funding
that supports education for young people around the world.
(Logo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130515/613588 )
The PASS initiative is fronted by former international
football star Patrick Vieira. It
started during the Group Stage of the UEFA Europa League Season
2012/13, which kicked off on September 20,
2012. The season concludes May 15,
2013 with the UEFA Europa League Final 2013 between Chelsea
FC and SL Benfica at the Amsterdam ArenA.
The PASS initiative is expected to run for the three years of
Western Union's sponsorship of the UEFA Europa League until 2015.
Through the program, Western Union 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. Funding will support UNICEF 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.
On the evening 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"
"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," said
Tim Hunter, International
Fundraising Director at UNICEF. "We are proud to work with Western
Union to help more children access a quality education and
transform their lives."
"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 Diane Scott, Executive Vice
President, Chief Product and Marketing Officer, Western Union, and
a member of the Western Union Foundation Board of Directors.
"PASS harnesses the power of football to raise awareness of
unmet educational needs, and with UNICEF we can impact the lives of
secondary school students around the world."
"Where I come from, opportunities for a quality education are
rare," explained Vieira the former AS Cannes, AC Milan, Arsenal FC,
Juventus FC, FC Internazionale Milano, Manchester City FC and
French international player. Vieira 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 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."
In support of PASS, Western Union has been carrying
out a marketing and communications program for its customers and
UEFA Europa League fans from around the world. Fans can learn more
at http://www.wu-pass.org or join the conversation on
Twitter @wu_pass.
About Western Union
The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU) is a leader in global
payment services. Together with its Vigo, Orlandi Valuta, Pago
Facil and Western Union Business Solutions branded payment
services, Western Union provides consumers and businesses with
fast, reliable and convenient ways to send and receive money around
the world, to send payments and to purchase money orders. As of
March 31, 2013, the Western Union,
Vigo and Orlandi Valuta branded services were offered through a
combined network of approximately 515,000 Agent locations in 200
countries and territories. In 2012, The Western Union Company
completed 231 million consumer-to-consumer transactions worldwide,
moving $79 billion of principal
between consumers, and 432 million business payments. For more
information, visit http://www.westernunion.com.
About the Western Union Foundation
The Western Union Foundation is dedicated to creating a better
world, where the ability to realize dreams through economic
opportunity is not just a privilege for the few but a right for
all. With The Western Union Company, its employees, Agents, and
business partners, The Western Union Foundation works to realize
this vision by supporting education and disaster relief. Since its
inception, The Western Union Foundation has committed more than
$85.2 million in grants and other
giving to 2,591 nongovernmental organizations in more than 130
countries. To learn more, visit
http://www.westernunionfoundation.org.
About Western Union's UEFA Europa
League Sponsorship
In July 2012, Western Union
announced a three year deal as the new Global Partner and the
Presenting Sponsor of the UEFA Europa League. This sponsorship of
the world's largest club competition, comprising 193 professional
football teams from 53 countries, provides Western Union with a
unique opportunity for worldwide brand visibility, with the
competition broadcast in more than 200 countries and territories,
and enjoying a global live match unique reach of 634 million per
season. This will allow Western Union, with its extensive network
of approximately 515,000 Agent locations in over 200 countries and
territories, to engage its customers and Agents in the excitement
of the UEFA Europa League. The agreement also provides video,
digital and social media content opportunities, and use of the UEFA
Europa League brand assets. This partnership will run to the UEFA
Europa League Final in 2015.
About UNICEF
UNICEF works in more than 190 countries and territories to help
children survive and thrive, from early childhood through
adolescence. The world's largest provider of vaccines for
developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition,
good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and
girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation,
and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions
of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments. For more
information about UNICEF and its work
visit: http://www.unicef.org
SOURCE Western Union