June 29 2011
Donation by Louis Vuitton's Intellectual Property Department
29/06/2011 - Louis Vuitton's Intellectual Property Department joins Louis Vuitton's and SOS Children's Villages' aim to reinforce education in a selected number of countries where children often have no choice but to work. This initiative falls within the framework of the support given by Louis Vuitton since 2010.
Louis Vuitton, through its various departments, has made donations to SOS Children’s Villages in support of education. Notably, the Intellectual Property Department at Louis Vuitton has decided to participate by making donations to various educational programs in China, Philippines, Vietnam and the Dominican Republic. An approximate 350,000€ will be divided in 2011 among projects selected together with SOS Children’s Villages in each country, with aim to improve and increase access to education, hoping to help prevent children from falling prey to counterfeit.
Five-year global agreement with SOS Children's Villages
Louis Vuitton and SOS Children’s Villages signed in 2010 a five year global agreement to develop a programme entitled "Partnership for Children’s Futures". The aim of this global partnership, implemented on local levels, is to help shape the future of disadvantaged children across the globe: a future founded on security, education and learning.
"Through our relationship with SOS Children’s Villages, we seek to support children in their education and creative development", says Yves Carcelle, Chairman and CEO of Louis Vuitton. "Preserving our past and preparing the new generations for a better future is one of the founding values which have inspired the Maison Louis Vuitton for over 150 years. We believe that education is the key to helping children get out of difficult situations, and today we take this partnership a step forward by reinforcing education in countries where it is needed."
SOS Hermann Gmeiner School in Yantai, China
Opened in 1993, the SOS Hermann Gmeiner School in Yantai in China, the biggest school built by SOS Children’s Villages worldwide, has model status, considered to be one of the best schools in the country. Louis Vuitton has thus chosen to contribute to the running costs for the SOS Hermann Gmeiner School.
SOS Family Strengthening Programmes in the Philippines
For the Philippines, Louis Vuitton has decided to support the SOS Family Strengthening Programmes in Davao, Lipa and Tacloban. The Family Strengthening Programmes, through skills training, education counselling, micro-loans and improved nutrition, aim to support families at risk of abandoning their children due to extreme poverty and place a strong focus on preventing children from working.
SOS Hermann Gmeiner School Nha Trang, Vietnam
Louis Vuitton will support the construction of a day-boarding facility for 350 children attending the SOS Hermann Gmeiner School in Nha Trang in Vietnam. Highly regarded by the local population and government officials, it started operating as primary and secondary school in 2002. However, 350 of the1,000 pupils who attend day classes are from the local population and live far from the school. A facility where the students can rest and relax after lunch before continuing classes in the afternoon has therefore become necessary for better learning conditions.
SOS Training Centre in the Dominican Republic
Having already contributed in 2010 to the renovation of a mothers training and education centre of SOS Children’s Villages in the Dominican Republic, Louis Vuitton renews its dedication to this project by a donation to help support the running costs once the centre is functional. This centre would allow 118 SOS mothers and family assistants to receive training.
Louis Vuitton helps protect children from child labour
"Child labour is an international issue that contradicts the values we share with Louis Vuitton, that of a safe, educational, and loving environment where children can grow", says Richard Pichler, Secretary-General of SOS Children’s Villages International. "We hope that this initiative with Louis Vuitton will help children to learn and develop into adults that have the skills to be independent and be responsible for themselves in society."
Many children do not have the choice but to work to gain a living, and therefore do not have the time or energy to go to school. Louis Vuitton and SOS Children’s Villages will take this initiative to improve education along with a safe and caring environment, allowing a maximum number of children to access a better life.
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