Tsinghua and UNICEF to Help Disadvantaged Children

Tsinghua University and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) have signed a new long-term partnership to use innovation, design and technology to help reach some of the poorest and most disadvantaged children across the world.

The partnership was launched at an official event at Tsinghua by the Chairperson of the Tsinghua University Council Chen Xu and UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Yoka Brandt.

As part of the partnership, the Tsinghua Global Innovation Center for Children (GICC) will be established. Creative problem solvers from China and around the world will be brought together to develop innovative solutions.

These will help towards meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by United Nations member states last September.

"Tsinghua is dedicated to educating the next generation of innovators who are committed to bringing about transformational technological breakthroughs as well as positive social change. Partnering with UNICEF provides an opportunity for Tsinghua to take part in the global cause for children and sustainable development,” said Chen Xu, Chairperson of Tsinghua University Council.

The partnership will see the establishment of Tsinghua Global Innovation Center for Children where products and services to improve the wellbeing of vulnerable children can be created.

One of the partnership’s aims will be to use innovation as a way of achieving cross-sector collaboration from academia, young people, and the private sector, as well as South-South cooperation.

"This partnership is an exciting opportunity to tackle some of the immense challenges faced by children in China and across the world, through creative and innovative solutions. The new partnership with Tsinghua University is a vehicle for concrete and practical action to improve the lives of millions of children,” said Yoka Brandt,UNICEF Deputy Executive Director.

The new partnership comes after two years of cooperation between Tsinghua and UNICEF that has included a youth-focused program as well as a Youth Innovation Forum which has already brought together young innovators from the southern hemisphere.

(From Office of Global Communications and Outreach)