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 has added more than one million dollars to the ten million dollars already raised since the special partnership first began back in 2004. With the funds raised over the past year, Montblanc will support UNICEF in its efforts to improve learning for over five million children by providing them access to better quality primary education.
While education is widely recognised as a fundamental human right, 63 million children of primary school age 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. Approximately 380 million children in the world, about 56 per cent, will not be able to read or handle mathematics by the time they are of age to complete primary education.
“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, socio-economic background or circumstances – realise their right to access quality education in a safe and conducive environment with teaching and learning tools and processes that support their needs.” – Gary Stahl, Director of Private Fundraising and Partnerships, UNICEF.
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.
“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 Baretzki, 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,” he added.
