Feature story

Putting education first

31 October 2013

UNAIDS has signed a new Memorandum of Understanding with the United Nations World Tourism Organization Sustainable Tourism – Eliminating Poverty Foundation (UNWTO ST-EP Foundation).

UNAIDS and the UNWTO ST-EP Foundation will work with the Republic of Korea’s Yonsei University to support the UN MDG Thank You Small Library Initiative.

The Thank You Small Library initiative establishes small libraries in communities where children do not have access to reading and studying facilities. The main purpose is to provide both educational and entertainment opportunities through the enjoyment of reading.

One of the first shared projects will be to produce a children’s book focused on children living with HIV.

At the signing ceremony, Executive Director of UNAIDS Michel Sidibé discussed the importance of education with Ambassador Dho Young-shim, Chairperson of the UNWTO ST-EP Foundation and MDG Advocacy Group Member, and Professor Myongsei Sohn, Dean of the Graduate School of Public Health at Yonsei University in Seoul.

Quotes

Children have the right to read and the right to learn. Education holds the key to a brighter future for children everywhere.

Michel Sidibé, UNAIDS Executive Director