The head of UNESCO, the United Nations agency for culture and sport, appointed Vincius Junior as their new Goodwill Ambassador for Education for All on Friday. The event was conducted at the Real Madrid players’ training facility.
Directors-General of UNESCO Audrey Azoulay presented a letter of appointment to the 23-year-old winger while she was in the organization. She took this action in acknowledgement of his extraordinary on-field performance and steadfast commitment to advancing equal educational opportunities in Brazil.
Vinius Junior: I aspire to be recognized for my altruistic nature and exceptional athletic prowess.
Ms. Azoulay stated that the Brazil national team fixture was “an ardent supporter of equal access to education in Brazil in addition to being a great football player.”
This is the second time in UNESCO’s history that a Brazilian football player has been designated a Goodwill Ambassador, following the illustrious Pelé.
“A model for an entire generation,” they said.
“He is a source of motivation for an entire generation, and UNESCO is honored to have him join our esteemed organization of Goodwill Ambassadors,” she stated.
Vincius Junior expressed gratitude to the individual for the honor and remarked that it was a monumental achievement and a responsibility that would endure for a lifetime.
“In addition to being a great player, I wish to be recognized as a good citizen who is motivated to effect change.” “I became committed to education at the age of 19, and with the assistance of UNESCO, my Institute strives to contribute to a better world,” he explained.
In 2021, he founded the Instituto Vin Jr. to assist impoverished Brazilian children and adolescents in returning to education.
By promoting the values of athletics, the center motivates children from diverse backgrounds to attend school.
Vinicius Junior will play a crucial role in supporting UNESCO’s global education initiatives, engaging in dialogue with Member States and the general public, and delivering speeches at international conferences in order to assist the organization in achieving its mission of promoting education for all.
UNESCO estimates that approximately 250 million children and adolescents lack access to education. Since 2021, this number has increased by 6 million.
Additionally, seven out of ten children cannot read and comprehend a basic text by age 10. This demonstrates the critical nature of combating social injustice, a significant factor contributing to student attrition and academic underachievement.
