New York, September 24, 2022 – Speaking at the Global Citizen Festival in Central Park, New York this weekend, Lego Foundation CEO Anne Bergitte Albreksen said she can’t wait for the United Nations international organization education. (ECW) announced a new major donation of US$25 million. Funds for education in emergencies and protracted crises.

ECW Director Yasmin Sheriff joined her on stage and applauded the impact of each new addition’s contribution in realizing the dream of educating children affected by war and crisis around the world. did. The LEGO Foundation is the largest private donor to ECW, with approximately $65 million in donations to date.

“Imagine if there was a magic lever that could transform the lived experiences of the 222 million children and young people living in crisis situations into the peacekeepers and builders of tomorrow. Well, there is: education.To help build this lever, the LEGO Foundation is pleased to announce a new funding of US$25 million for Education Cannot Wait,” said Albrectsen.

The LEGO Foundation shares the LEGO Group’s mission to inspire and develop tomorrow’s builders. The Foundation is dedicated to building a future that empowers children to be creative, engaged lifelong learners through learning through play. With donations from The LEGO Foundation and other donors, ECW has provided comprehensive educational assistance to her 7 million children and adolescents affected by the crisis since her 2016 inception.

“ECW is deeply grateful for this new and additional donation from our largest private sector donor, The LEGO Foundation. The LEGO Foundation shines as an example of the power of the private sector to transform humanity. With 222 million children around the world today having their education interrupted by the crisis, funding like this is essential to keep them on track. and private sector partners to help ECW meet its additional $1.5 billion funding challenge to urgently provide quality education to millions of children affected by the crisis. I ask you to do so,” Sheriff said.

A shocking new analysis from ECW shows that as many as 222 million girls and boys affected by the crisis are in urgent need of educational assistance. This is up from her previous estimate of 75 million in 2016. About 120 million people do not reach the minimum proficiency in mathematics or reading.

Global Citizen is a longtime partner of Education Cannot Wait. Ahead of this year’s festival, the organization will mobilize US$1.5 billion over the next four years for global citizens around the world to bring safety, hope and quality access to the 20 million children and adolescents affected by the crisis. Called to support ECW’s goal of providing educational opportunities. #222MillionDreams✨📚 campaign.

Performances at Global Citizen include Metallica, Charlie Puth, Jonas Brothers, Måneskin, Mariah Carey, Mickey Guyton and Rosalia. Throughout the day, world leaders, major corporations and philanthropic organizations announced new commitments to End Extreme Poverty Now, including the announcement of a notable donation to Education Cannot Wait.

People who want to make a difference are reaching out to leaders by using the #222MillionDreams✨📚 hashtag, making a personal donation to ECW, or joining forces with Global Citizen and the LEGO Foundation to take action. You can call to action.

Note to editors

About Education Cannot Wait (ECW):

Education Cannot Wait (ECW) is the United Nations global fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises. We support quality education outcomes for girls and boys affected by refugees, internally displaced persons and other crises, ensuring that no one is left behind. Through its multilateral system, ECW will speed response to crises, linking immediate relief with long-term intervention through multi-year programs. ECW works closely with governments, public and private donors, United Nations agencies, civil society organizations, and other humanitarian and development actors to increase efficiency and end siled responses. increase. ECW urgently appeals to public and private sector donors to scale up their support to reach more vulnerable children and young people. The Education Cannot Wait High-Level Financing Conference, co-organized by ECW and Switzerland and co-organized by Germany, Niger, Norway and South Sudan, will take place on 16-17 February 2023 in Geneva.

Follow @EduCannotWait, @YasmineSherif1, and @KentPage on Twitter.

Additional information is available at www.educationcannotwait.org.

Press contact:
Anouk Desgroseilliers, adesgroseilliers@un-ecw.org, +1-917-640-6820
Kent Page, kpage@unicef.org, +1-917-302-1735
Other inquiries: info@un-ecw.org

About The LEGO Foundation:

The LEGO Foundation aims to inspire and advance tomorrow’s builders. A mission shared with the LEGO Group. The LEGO Foundation is dedicated to building a future that empowers children to be creative and engaged lifelong learners through learning through play. Its activity is to redefine play and reimagine learning. Working with thought leaders, influencers, educators and parents, The LEGO Foundation aims to equip, inspire and activate champions for play. www.LEGO Foundation.com

Follow @LEGOfoundation, @ABAlbrectsen and @WilmshurstEuan on Twitter.

For media inquiries:
Rikke Bruntse Dahl, rikke.bruntse.dahl@LEGO.com +4553195134