The National Football Team Coach of Senegal, Aliou Cissé has been appointed as UNICEF National Ambassador to Senegal. His appointment was motivated not only by his reputation and leadership, but above all by his commitment to the promotion of children’s rights.
“It is an honour and a great pleasure for me to be chosen by UNICEF to work for children. Supporting this noble cause is just as important as winning a football match, as winning the Africa Cup of Nations, as qualifying for a World Cup,” said Aliou Cissé, during the ceremony.
“As a coach, as a former professional footballer and as a former captain of Senegal’s national team, my role is really to draw more attention to the situation of children in our country. Today, I am more motivated than ever to fight for children,’ he said.
As National Ambassador, Aliou Cissé will assist UNICEF in its advocacy efforts and in communicating to a broad audience the vision and values that guide UNICEF’s work for children in Senegal. Its activities will focus on issues related to girls’ and boys’ access to inclusive and quality education and to the protection of children and the prevention of violence against them. He will use his influence, his ability to mobilize and the strength of sport and passion for football to support advocacy and put the rights of children and youth at the heart of national priorities.
“We are extremely proud to have Aliou Cissé at our side, because he represents for us a true role model, through his personal trajectory and professional achievements. He is a model of perseverance, determination and success, and he touches the hearts and minds of many children, youth and adults in Senegal, a country with 17 million football enthusiasts”said Silvia Danailov, UNICEF Representative in Senegal.
“It also represents the values of football – the values of solidarity and inclusion – football being a true unifying force, whether for children in or out of school, girls or boys, everyone loves football,” she continued.
Aliou Cissé will join the 200 national ambassadors, 11 UNICEF regional ambassadors and 30 international ambassadors around the world to raise awareness about children’s rights and UNICEF’s work to protect and promote these rights.
For 65 years, the rights of the child have been at the heart of the strong partnership between the Government of Senegal and UNICEF. UNICEF’s work in Senegal is driven by the ultimate goal of ensuring every child, especially the most vulnerable, a fair and equitable start in life. This means that all girls and boys, regardless of where they live, their family income or their disability, must have equal access to quality services and an equal opportunity to reach their full potential.
