02/02/10
UNICEF and Save the Children thank IKEA customers and co-workers for 7 million euro donation
UNICEF and Save the Childrentoday thanked IKEA customers and staff for their help in raising 7 million euros to provide children with a quality education. Between 1 November and 24 December 2009, the IKEA Social Initiative donated one euro for every soft toy sold in all IKEA stores globally and online as part of the ‘One euro is a fortune’ campaign.
The Soft Toy campaign is driven by the IKEA Social Initiative, responsible for IKEA’s investment in communities and mission to improve children’s rights and opportunities. Since the campaign began in 2003, IKEA Social Initiative has donated 23.7 million euros enabling approximately 8 million children in over 30 countries to access a quality education. This year sales reached a record high and donations exceeded all expectations. IKEA supports UNICEF and Save the Children’s position that all children have a right to access a quality education that prepares them for the widest range of opportunities in life.
Yet in 2006, 93 million childrenwere not in school. Almost 80 percent of these children live in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Save the Children will usethe 2009 donation for programmes in Russia to combat discrimination of disabled children, in Albania to improve learning for children at risk of exploitation and trafficking, in Vietnam to increase access to quality basic education for disadvantaged children i.e. from ethnic minority communities and in Bangladesh to improve educational services for children of indigenous groups.
“Even in the most difficult situations, children tell us time and time again that they want to go to school," said John Rennie, Interim Director, Education, Save the Children, "The IKEA Soft Toy promotion will allow us to provide even more children with the quality education that is their right, giving children the opportunity to build more peaceful and sustainable communities in the future."
Through the commitment of our customers IKEA has been able to increase its support to UNICEF and Save the Children each year,making a substantial impact on improving the education of millions of children. __________________________________________________________________ About IKEA Social Initiative
IKEA believes that home is the most important place in the world, and children are the most important people in the world. That’s why IKEA Social Initiative wants to make a difference for millions of children in need around the world by reducing malnutrition and infant disease, and by dramatically improving literacy. IKEA Social Initiative was formed in 2005 to manage global donations with the mission to improve the rights and life opportunities of the many children. Today, we support projects that benefit an estimated 100 million children
About IKEA
Founded in Sweden in 1943, IKEA offers home furnishing and accessories of good design and function at low prices so the many people can afford them. There are currently 268 IKEA Group stores in 25 countries with 590 million visitors last year. IKEA incorporates social and environmental efforts into day-to-day business and continuously supports initiatives that benefit causes such as children and the environment. For more information, please visit: www.IKEA.com