Millicom announces continued support of UNICEF’s efforts to protect children’s rights in Latin America
Luxembourg, May 30th, 2018 – Millicom, a leading provider of cable and mobile services, has pledged its continuing support for UNICEF’s work in Child Rights in Latin America through a renewed three-year collaboration agreement aimed at preventing violence and protecting children and teens in the region. This commitment builds on Millicom’s existing partnership with UNICEF, which seeks to protect children’s rights online and offline.
The announcement was made during a press conference hosted by TIGO El Salvador with representatives from Millicom, UNICEF and TIGO’s Latin American operations. As part of the agreement, Millicom will fund programs related to rights promotion, use of technology, and violence prevention against children and teens through its TIGO operations across its markets in the region. Through these programs UNICEF and Millicom will be able to create and improve helplines for children and teens; provide specialized technical support for this group; and detect and prevent digital criminal activity directed to children like sexting, grooming and cyber-bullying.
Millicom will also continue to share its experience with UNICEF on its work to fully integrate Child Rights into its Corporate Responsibility strategy, moving beyond its existing Child Online Protection programs. Through this partnership both organizations expect to further help the telecommunications industry understand its impact on Child Rights.
Commenting on the ongoing partnership, Rachel Samrén, Millicom’s EVP Chief External Affairs Officer said: “40 percent of the population in the Latin American markets where we operate are 0-19 years old. We are committed to work with UNICEF on protecting the rights of these children and teens in the long-term. That’s why the renewed agreement goes beyond protection of children online and includes a focus on violence prevention. “
“This agreement is an example of how the private sector can articulate sustainability strategies that center in childhood and youth”, said Stefan Stefansson, responsible for UNICEF’s Private Sector for Latin America and the Caribbean. “In a region that is becoming more digital, the online and offline prevention and protection of the most vulnerable ones who are usually the children and teens, have to be a priority for us. “
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For further information, please contact:
Millicom Press:
Vivian Kobeh, Corporate Communications Director
+1 305 476 7352 / +1 305 302 2858
press@millicom.com
UNICEF Press:
Alfonso Fernández Reca, UNICEF Latin America and the Caribbean
+ 507 3017373 / +507 69412277
afernandezreca@unicef.org
About Millicom
Millicom is a leading provider of cable and mobile services dedicated to emerging markets in Latin America and Africa. Millicom sets the pace when it comes to providing high-speed broadband and innovation around The Digital Lifestyle services through its principal brand, Tigo. As of December 31st, 2017, Millicom employed more than 18,000 people and provided mobile services to approximately 51 million customers, with a cable footprint of more than 9 million homes passed. Founded in 1992, Millicom International Cellular SA is headquartered in Luxembourg and listed on Nasdaq Stockholm under the symbol MIC_SDB. In 2017, Millicom reported revenues of $6.0 billion and EBITDA of $2.2 billion.
About UNICEF
UNICEF works in some of the most remote places to reach the most vulnerable children in the world. To save their lives. To protect their rights. To help them reach their highest potential.
In 190 countries and territories, we work for each child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for all.
And we never give up.
For more information about UNICEF and the work we do, visit: www.unicef.org/lac.
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