NEW YORK, Aug. 11, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) has donated more than $4 million to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to be used to build and operate schools for refugee children who have fled the conflict in Darfur. It is the largest single donation ever made by a business organization to the UNHCR. PwC people in 102 countries made individual contributions during the "Power of 10" campaign, established with the UNHCR to recognize PwC's 10th anniversary. Many PwC member firms also made donations on behalf of their employees.
The funds will be used to build and operate schools on a sustainable basis for more than 20,000 children aged 6 to 14 living in refugee camps in Eastern Chad. As part of the program, children and teachers will receive a daily meal. Teacher training and school supplies will also be provided.
"PwC's generosity will provide direct assistance to refugee children in Darfur who currently have limited options for education," explained Antonio Guterres, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. "Working together, UNHCR and PwC are committed to providing these children with safe havens and hope for a better future."
"PwC's contribution will help the children of Darfur maintain hope for a better life through education," added Samuel A. DiPiazza, Jr., PwC's global CEO. "This donation represents the people of PricewaterhouseCoopers at their best. Over the past 10 years we have demonstrated the great things that PwC firms can accomplish by working together. There could be no better way to celebrate PwC's anniversary than to make a meaningful, difference where it is most needed."
The UNHCR will soon begin working with local and international NGOs to begin major school construction and teacher training, set for completion within two years. The PwC contribution will provide sustainable education to children for at least five years. The UNHCR will oversee the program and provide ongoing progress reports. As conditions permit, PwC people will visit the camps, assess progress and provide assistance.
Said Roelf Kloen, a Power of 10 contributor from PwC Netherlands,"I realize that I was very fortunate growing up in a country with good education available for everyone. When I saw the Power of 10 challenge, I, and thankfully many others, felt the responsibility to try to give the children in Darfur the same powerful tool for development that we have had."
The Power of 10 campaign took place over 10 business days across PwC's global network of firms. In addition to contributions from PwC people and firms, donations were also received from friends and family members of the PwC community through its Web site www.pwc.com.
"Our unique partnership with the UNHCR is evidence of what can be accomplished when the public and private sectors work together. The impact is enormous," Mr. DiPiazza added. "The schools provided through the combination of PwC's global network and the UNHCR will give the children of Darfur the chance to improve their lives."
Notes to Editor:
1. Contributions to the campaign are welcome and can be made by
credit card through the Power of 10 Web site
(www.pwc.com/10anniversary) or sent directly to the United Nations
at: United Nations High Commission for Refugees, Power of 10
Initiative, 94 Rue de Montbrillant, 1201 Geneva, Switzerland.
2. The Power of 10 Campaign will:
* Build classrooms equipped with tables, benches, and
blackboards. Construction will be carried out by local
enterprises with the participation of the communities,
supervised by a specialized NGO, to ensure compliance with
technical and durability standards.
* Provide students with manuals, additional textbooks and school
supplies. Each pupil and teacher will receive a uniform, and
those with specific needs will receive additional clothing,
soap and other hygiene items.
* Provide teacher training in educational basics, codes of
conduct, classroom management, positive discipline, and
essential skills in children's and women's rights. Instruction
will be followed-up at the school levels and classrooms will be
monitored through the parents/teachers associations and
children's clubs.
* Establish school canteens and gardens so the children can
attend school the entire day.
3. Learn more about the Power of 10 campaign by visiting:
* www.pwc.com/10anniversary
* www.facebook.com/pages/The-Power-of-10/21393229027
* www.youtube.com/unhcr
* www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/home
4. PricewaterhouseCoopers (www.pwc.com) provides industry-focused
assurance, tax and advisory services to build public trust and
enhance value for its clients and their stakeholders. More than
146,000 people in 150 countries across our network share their
thinking, experience and solutions to develop fresh perspectives
and practical advice.
"PricewaterhouseCoopers" refers to the network of member firms of
PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited, each of which is a
separate and independent legal entity.