Press Release

UNICEF Korea’s Goodwill Ambassador Choi Siwon Expects More Children Can Pursue Their Dreams

25 August 2017

Ha Noi, 25 August 2017 - “Despite the language and cultural barriers, every moment that I was able to interact with the children in Viet Nam were thankful, precious, and inspiring and as beautiful as the Viet Nam's scenery”, said Korean famous singer and actor Choi Siwon as he completed the three-day visit to Viet Nam in the role of UNICEF Korea’s Goodwill Ambassador.

The visit is part of UNICEF – SM Entertainment’ supported project Growing with Music/Smile for U, which aims to ensure that all children have equal opportunities to reach their full potential. The project is also intended to improve the inclusive education for children with disabilities and to develop the model that demonstrate the positive impact of music on the development of life skills and values in children starting from early childhood. In partnership with well known music institutions, the project helps promote music from the foundational basis of early childhood education and that help identify and develop highly talented students that have grown with music starting from early age, throughout higher education levels.

Choi Siwon’s first stopover was Inclusive Education Centre in Da Nang where he participated in the opening of the music room supported by the project. He then had an interaction with students of the Da Nang Culture and Art College. In the last two days of the trip, he visited a preschool and a lower secondary school for ethnic minority children in remote areas of Kon Tum, a central highland province of Viet Nam.

“Because of this mission with UNICEF, I once again realized that music has the strength to bring people closer regardless of one's nationality or ethnicity. I truly expect that more and more children can could pursue their dreams in a better encyclopedia through SM's Smile for U Project with UNICEF”, Choi Siwon shared.

Growing with Music/Smile for U has been implementing in three provinces including Ha Noi, Da Nang and Kon Tum and is expected to benefit 5,000 children from 5 to 14 years including children with disabilities, 2,000 education managers and 4,800 parents/teachers by end of 2018.

“It was truly impressive to see how UNICEF makes every effort to change this world to a happier place for children. As a part of the global UNICEF family, I now feel the sense of my duty to bring the better lives to children”, Choi Siwon concluded.

For photos and video of the visit, please click https://www.facebook.com/unicefvietnam/

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 for children visit https://www.facebook.com/unicefvietnam/.

Follow UNICEF on Twitter and Facebook