Home Football Vinicius Junior, Following in Pele’s Footsteps, Named UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Equal Education in Brazil

Vinicius Junior, Following in Pele’s Footsteps, Named UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Equal Education in Brazil

Football — 02/25/2024

Vinícius Junior Named UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Education for All. On Friday, the head of UNESCO, the UN body for culture and sport, announced that Vinícius Junior has been appointed as their new Goodwill Ambassador for Education for All. The ceremony took place at the Real Madrid training centre, where UNESCO’s Director-General Audrey Azoulay presented the 23-year-old winger with a letter of appointment. This recognition comes in light of Vinícius Junior’s exceptional performance on the football field and his unwavering commitment to promoting equal educational opportunities in Brazil.

Vinicius Jr. treedt in voetsporen van Pelé als Goodwill Ambassador van Unesco: “Ik wil herinnerd worden als meer dan een grote voetballer” | Het Nieuwsblad Mobile

In his response, Vinícius Junior expressed his desire to be known not only as a great player but also as a good person who aims to make a difference. Ms. Azoulay praised him as not just a talented footballer but also a passionate advocate for equal access to education in Brazil. This marks the second time in UNESCO’s history that a Brazilian football player has been named a Goodwill Ambassador, following in the footsteps of the legendary Pelé.

Foot: Vinicius devient ambassadeur de bonne volonté de l'Unesco

Describing Vinícius Junior as an inspiration to an entire generation, Ms. Azoulay expressed UNESCO’s honor in having him join their esteemed group of Goodwill Ambassadors. Vinícius Junior, in turn, expressed his gratitude for the recognition and emphasized that this responsibility is both a great achievement and a lifelong commitment. He established the Instituto Viní.Jr. in 2021 to support underprivileged Brazilian children and teenagers in returning to school, using sports as a means to encourage educational participation.

To further UNESCO’s mission of promoting education for all, Vinícius Junior will play a crucial role in delivering speeches at international conferences, engaging with Member States and the public, and supporting UNESCO’s global education initiatives. According to UNESCO, approximately 250 million children and teenagers lack access to education, with an increase of 6 million since 2021. Additionally, seven out of ten children are unable to read and comprehend a simple text by the age of 10, highlighting the urgency to address social injustice as a major factor contributing to school dropout rates and educational gaps.