Maison continues its mission to promote child literacy and education with the funds raised through its Montblanc for UNICEF limited edition collection
When Montblanc first embarked on its 14-year partnership with UNICEF, it set out to make a meaningful contribution to UNICEF’s global efforts to provide more children with access to equitable and inclusive education with the hope of breaking generational cycles of poverty and disadvantage. With a sense of purpose deeply rooted in its origins in the culture of writing, each of Montblanc’s UNICEF collaborations since 2004 have continued to reaffirm the Maison’s belief that the written word is a precious gift which should be bestowed on every human being. Through the sale of its latest Montblanc for UNICEF collection of limited edition writing instruments, timepieces, accessories and leather goods launched in late 2017, Montblanc adds over $1 Million dollars to the $10 million dollars raised since the special partnership first began. The funds will benefit UNICEF programmes providing children with access to better quality primary education.
“While Montblanc continues to be deeply engaged in its shared mission with UNICEF to give more children the opportunity to learn to read and write, we are grateful and humbled to see the level of support we have received from customers who have chosen to generously contribute to the work of UNICEF in communities around the world with the purchase of a piece that carries true purpose,” says Nicolas Baretzki4, Montblanc CEO. “By highlighting the universal nature of writing and the diversity of world languages through a design featuring six handwritten characters, each one being the first letter from six different alphabets that children learn to write first, the collection was designed as a powerful reminder that having access to quality education early on in life is crucial.”
While education is widely recognized as a fundamental human right, 63 million children of primary school age (about 6 to 11 years old) are out of school. Of those who are in school, many are not learning—globally, six out of ten children and adolescents are not achieving minimum levels in reading and mathematics due to the poor quality of education they are receiving. More than one-half (56%) of all children in the world, approximately 380 million, won’t be able to read or handle mathematics by the time they are of age to complete primary education.
With the funds raised over the past year, Montblanc aims to support UNICEF help to improve learning for over 5 million of these children.
Across all target countries (China, Brazil, Djibouti), the latest Montblanc funds will contribute to UNICEF’s work in improving national education quality, ensuring schools are child friendly, and promoting the inclusion of disadvantaged and marginalized children in the education system. To achieve the above, areas of focus for the partnership could include classroom renovation, the provision of school supplies and furniture, teacher training and salaries in community kindergartens.
More specifically the contributions of Montblanc will help UNICEF provide learning and teaching training materials in China; ensure children aged 4-17 have access to basic education in Brazil; and support the capacity of the educational system catering to the most disadvantaged children in Djibouti.
“Education is both a fundamental human right and a powerful tool to break the cycle of poverty and disadvantage for individuals, families and countries. When all children have access to a quality and equitable education from an early age through adolescence, a ripple effect of opportunity is created that influences current and future generations.
Partners like Montblanc help us provide access to quality education for boys and girls. Together we are committed to ensuring that all children – regardless of gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic background or circumstances – realize their right to access quality education in a safe and conducive environment with teaching and learning tools and processes that support their needs”, says Gary Stahl, Director of Private Fundraising and Partnerships, UNICEF.
About Montblanc
Guided by the pioneering spirit since 1906, Montblanc revolutionized the culture of writing with breakthrough innovations. Today, the Maison continues to push boundaries and evolve the expression of fine craftsmanship across each of its product categories: the pinnacle of luxury writing instruments, timepieces, leather goods, accessories, fragrances and eyewear. With every innovation, Montblanc offers new functionalities and ground-breaking designs imbued with the Maison’s heritage of sophistication and crafted to the highest standards through the skills of its artisans in each of its manufactures whether Hamburg, Germany for its writing instruments, the Swiss Jura in Le Locle and Villeret for its timepieces or Florence, Italy for its leather goods. Reflecting its ongoing mission to create fine lifetime companions born from the most pioneering ideas, the iconic Montblanc Emblem has become the ultimate seal of performance, innovation, quality and expression of style. With its origins deeply rooted in the culture of handwriting, Montblanc continues to assert its cultural commitment around the world with the creation of wide-ranging initiatives to promote arts and culture in many forms, while honouring the modern-day patrons who support the advancement of the arts.
About UNICEF
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) promotes the rights and well-being of every child, in everything the Organization does. Together with its partners, UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, to the benefit of all children, everywhere focussing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children. For more information about UNICEF and its work visit: www.unicef.org