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Sir Roger Moore launched the UNICEF campaign “Schools for Africa” in the Austrian parliament on September 25th. In sub-Saharan Africa every second child does not go to school.

Education is a big concern for Sir Roger Moore: “I am very grateful to be here today and to launch “Schools for Africa”. The actor is worried about the huge numbers of children, who are denied their right to education: “45 million children in sub-Saharan Africa are not going to school – in a sense, this is an emergency.”

In the context of the campaign “Schools for Africa” UNICEF is collaborating with six African countries in order to build schools with clean water, trained teachers and enough school material and equipment.

Sir Roger together with Dr. Gudrun Berger, Executive Director of UNICEF Austria. Photo © Kurt Keinrath

Sir Roger Moore and Gudrun Berger, Executive Director of UNICEF Austria, both appealed for funds and asked all those present - including media and politicians – to support the campaign in every possible way. “We have to fight ignorance”, underlined Sir Roger.

In the context of “Schools for Africa”, UNICEF Austria concentrates its efforts on Malawi: The aim is to build 20 new schools in this country. The aim for UNICEF Austria is to raise a minimum of 200.000 EUR.

Sir Roger Moore started his mission as an ambassador for UNICEF in 1991. "My curiosity got the better of me after Audrey Hepburn introduced me to UNICEF," says Sir Roger, explaining the origins of his association with the organization. "I wanted to find out more than just the facts and figures – I wanted to find names and faces. So I signed at the headquarters of UNICEF in New York and became an Ambassador – and I’ve never regretted it one moment.” Sir Roger emphasised, that every day nearly 30.000 children die from preventable and treatable diseases and malnutrition.

Sir Roger Moore his wife Lady Kristina, speaker of the Austrian parliament Barbara Prammer, right, photographer for the book Helmut Kapeller and author Beate Maxia, rear from left, pose for photographers during the presentation of the book "2010 And Some More Nights" for UNICEF at the parliament in Vienna.

Photo © AP

Furthermore, the presentation of the book “2010 And Some More Nights” took place in the Austrian parliament on September 25th. It is a collection of fairytales and photographs from children around the world, published in four languages. The prologue and foreword have been written by Sir Roger Moore and the United Nation’s Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon. One Euro per sold copy will be donated to “Schools for Africa”. “I hope that Santa Claus will bring these books for you and your children”, Sir Roger added.

The event was hosted by the President of the National Assembly of Austria, Dr. Barbara Prammer, and took place in the assembly room of the Austrian parliament in Vienna.

In Sub-Saharan Africa alone, 45 million children don’t get the chance to go to school – that is every second child.

There are too few functioning schools and trained teachers. Classrooms are usually crowded, ill-equipped or schools are simply too far away.

In the context of the child-friendly "Schools for Africa" campaign, UNICEF is working initially in six of Africa’s most needy countries including Angola, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Zimbabwe and South Africa to :

• Build and rehabilitate schools,
• Create schools that offer a safe and protective environment where children can learn and play,
• Schools where children have access to clean water, sanitation facilities, including separate latrines for girls and boys,
• Schools where children have exercise books, pens, other school and sports materials as well proper school furniture.
• Schools where teachers are trained to provide children with quality education and basic life skills,
• Schools where children are informed among others on day to day hygiene and HIV prevention,
• Schools that are gender sensitive.

UNICEF Austria concentrates its efforts on Malawi: Our aim is to build 20 new schools in this poor country – to achieve this they need to raise 200.000 Euro!

For most of Africa's children, education represents the only way out of a life of entrenched poverty. Across the continent, millions of children currently subsist on less than 1 dollar a day. Only those who can read, write and do arithmetic can hope to get a better paid job when they grow up.

But school is about much more than just job skills. It's playing an increasingly vital role helping children protect themselves against the diseases that can ravage poor communities. Simple information on day-to-day hygiene and prevention saves lives and keeps families together.

Finally, school builds confidence, cohesiveness and community. Educated children are less likely to become victims of violence and abuse. They are more likely to invest in improving their community when they are grown. And the follow-on effects of even basic education quickly multiply, as children who have benefited from schooling themselves strive to secure even better opportunities for their own families.

For more info about the campaign and how to donate, please visit UNICEF Austria and make a donation online.

Many thanks to Sylvia Trsek, Head Media & Communication at UNICEF Austria and to Anders Frejdh for his kind help.