New York, September 13, 2022 – UNICEF today unveiled a new global education mascot. uni It serves as an ambassador for learning and symbolizes every child’s right to access quality education.

Uni represents the hope that access to quality learning gives children and their communities. But with nearly 70% of her children in low- and middle-income countries unable to read or understand simple texts, Uni aims to draw attention to the current state of education and urge urgent change. There is also a thing.

UNICEF hopes the mascot will help spark needed reforms in school systems around the world ahead of next week’s United Nations Transformative Education Summit.

In addition to unveiling the artwork, UNICEF has created a life-size version of the mascot. Made from comfortable foam and bright blue felt, Uni is wrapped in a full-body 6-foot ‘backpack’. This represents UNICEF’s iconic blue backpack, which he gifted to 1.3 million schoolchildren last year alone. Uni was designed in-house by UNICEF.

“UNICEF embodies our desire that every child has the right to go to school and learn,” said Paloma Escudero, UNICEF’s Global Director of Communications and Advocacy. “Every child has the right not only to go to school, but to learn in school and one day acquire the basic skills that are the basis for higher education and higher income levels.”