K-Pop giant S.M. Entertainment and UNICEF partner to promote inclusive education for children in Viet Nam
11 July 2016
- Ha Noi, Viet Nam, 11 July 2016 – UNICEF and K-Pop giant S.M. Entertainment have signed today a Memorandum of Understanding agreeing to cooperate over the next three years to strengthen inclusive education in Viet Nam. The South Korean entertainment company will make a financial contribution of US$450,000 (approximately VND 10 Billion) to support UNICEF's Growing with Music project. The partnership is built on shared values to uphold children's rights and will emphasize on the positive impact of music on the development of lifeskills and values for children starting from early childhood.
"The partnership between UNICEF and S.M. Entertainment is representative of the relations between Vietnamese and South Korean people that have grown stronger over the last two decades," said Youssouf Abdel-Jelil, UNICEF Representative in Viet Nam. "The financial contribution from S.M. Entertainment will have multiplying effects because when children are offered equal opportunities to reach their full potential in school, families are supportive and caring, communities are thriving, and countries are growing."
"We, S.M. Entertainment, wanted to think of ways to return the love we have been receiving from the public. Our company started cultural activities to help children keep their dreams alive. We are happy to support music education for children in Viet Nam. We hope that this program provides opportunities for children in Viet Nam to receive organized music education, find their talent, and grow their ability in expressing the talent," said Mr Kim Young Min, CEO of S.M. Entertainment.
"I believe that education has worked as the biggest driving force behind the growth of Korea to which the international community pays attention. Next year will be the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and Korea. In this respect, I believe it is timely and appropriate for the KCU and SM Entertainment to launch a project for children in Viet Nam in this year," said Mr Suh Dae Won, Executive Director of the Korean Committee for UNICEF.
Growing with Music is a three-year project which involves well-known music institutions as well as recognized artists to promote the foundational basis that early childhood education and other levels of education with music can develop highly talented students. The project will also include capacity development of managers/teachers and parents both at national and subnational level to ensure that development of music programmes and events in school will be strengthened while culturally sensitive and traditional musical expression within the formal school setting and linked with the music education at all level will be promoted.
***
About UNICEF
UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere. For more information about UNICEF and its work visit: http://www.unicef.org/vietnam. Follow us on Facebook
About SM Entertainment
S.M. Entertainment is a private entertainment company established in 1995 in the Republic of Korea that operates as a record label, talent agency, music production company, event management and concert production company, and music publishing house for several prominent artists.
UN entities involved in this initiative
Goals we are supporting through this initiative
