Ladies of substance join Montblanc and UNICEF to promote literacy
By Anne Selvarani Albert KUALA LUMPUR, 21 August 2009 – The excitement was palpable at the recent launch of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and Montblanc Malaysia’s ‘Signature for Good’ campaign aimed at promoting increased literacy amongst vulnerable children in Malaysia and all around the world. This special initiative witnessed Montblanc teaming up with five prominent ladies who are themselves mothers, daughters and sisters to come up with their interpretations of the meaning and importance of education through the power of art.
The five ladies came up with unique masterpieces that will be auctioned at an opening bid starting from USD 2,857 (RM 10, 000). All proceeds from the auction will be channeled to UNICEF Malaysia. To view the art pieces and find out what inspired their artwork, click here. The right to education UNICEF believes that all children have the right to education. They deserve to be able to read and write and take advantage of all the opportunities that literacy can bring. Yet, worldwide, 93 million children of primary school-age are not in school. “Education is a basic human right and not merely a privilege. A child who can read and write can be empowered to claim their rights, change their lives, improve their communities and influence their destinies,” said UNICEF Representative to Malaysia and Special Representative to Brunei, Mr. Youssouf Oomar. The ‘Signature for Good’ initiative is part of Montblanc’s wider global Corporate Social Responsibility agenda, aimed at raising USD 1.5 million (RM 5.25 million) for UNICEF’s education programs worldwide. This unique and effective partnership, between Montblanc Malaysia and UNICEF will aim to provide more children with schools, learning tools, well-trained teachers and more importantly a chance to grow up to a healthy adulthood. Development’s building block “Illiteracy is a subject that is close to Montblanc, as our brand is firmly rooted in the culture of writing. We are extremely honoured to work with these outstanding ladies to bring our work with UNICEF one step closer to the Malaysian society,” said Montblanc South East Asia Pte Ltd, Managing Director, Ms Catherine Ang. Education and literacy are keys to growth, in both developed and developing nations. It is an absolute necessity in order to reduce poverty and achieve development. It is, in fact, development's most basic building block. “A literate world is a possible and desirable one. What is now needed is the collective will to make a difference. It is time for us to rise to the occasion and take on the challenge to make sure that the word illiterate is eradicated from our vocabulary forever,” Mr. Youssouf concluded.
Signature for Good
International Literacy Day 2009
8 September 2008 All Children, Everywhere Newsline - Education 1 September 2009: 31 August 2009: 21 August 2009: 17 August 2009: |
