From June 6th to 7th, 2024, a delegation from Chery Automobile, joined UNICEF, on a comprehensive visit to the February 2023 earthquake-affected regions of Hatay, Nurdağı, and Kilis in Türkiye. This visit focused on educational programmes, from early childhood education to adolescent skills programmes.
Throughout the two-day visit, the Chery delegation actively participated in educational and skill-development activities, engaging with students, teachers, and stakeholders. Their participation in various learning activities highlighted their commitment to understanding and supporting local education initiatives. The members of the delegation interacted with children from affected areas, sharing messages of hope and advocating for quality education for every child.
The journey began with a visit to Hilalkent 2 School in Hatay, constructed through collaboration between the Turkish Ministry of National Education (MoNE) and UNICEF. While at the school, the delegation observed and participated in mathematics and Turkish lessons, gaining valuable insights into the current learning environment. Mr. Zhang Guibing, General Manager of Chery International, Mr Paolo Marchi, UNICEF Representative to Türkiye and Mr. Zhang Shengshan, Executive Vice President of Chery International, engaged in the classes, interacted with the children and held discussions with education staff throughout the visit.
Following this, Mr. Zhang Guibing, General Manager of Chery International, concluded, “Protecting every child’s right to education is Chery’s motivation. We are steadfast in supporting UNICEF’s efforts to enhance and advocate for children’s education. This collaboration epitomizes Chery’s strong commitment to fostering societal progress.”
The delegation then explored UNICEF-supported early childhood education programmes, visiting two UNICEF supported centres to understand better the current state and challenges of early childhood education in Türkiye. They also enjoyed some educational time with the children as they engaged in art and crafts activities together.
At the Canpolat Pasa Youth Centre, the delegation gained insight into the skills training programme, which equips young people with essential skills for the future. In Nurdağı, they observed students engaging in robotics and 3D modelling projects, showcasing innovative learning approaches. In Kilis, they interacted with students participating in art and English courses, highlighting the broad range of educational opportunities available to support the affected communities.
Following the visit, the Chery Automobile team held in-depth discussions with the local Turkish government officials, education department officials, and the UNICEF team to gain insights into the progress of local educational programmes, including digital mobile technology initiatives. The delegation reiterated their commitment to ongoing collaboration with UNICEF and other international organisations to enhance children’s education, supporting their dreams and collectively building a brighter future.
“This visit cements our partnership with Chery Automobile and our joint commitment to supporting children in Türkiye in accessing quality education. Through this partnership, and the flexible funding provided we can reach children with timely educational support, including those living in the areas affected by the 2023 earthquakes. Private sector partnerships such as this one with Chery Automobile play a crucial role in UNICEF’s efforts to amplify impact, leverage resources, and create sustainable solutions for vulnerable children in Türkiye around the world,”, said Paolo Marchi, UNICEF Representative to Türkiye.
On October 17th, 2023, Chery Automobile and UNICEF announced a new two-year, $6 million partnership, in support of education programmes around the world.
Looking ahead, Chery will not only continue to prioritize global public welfare initiatives in environmental protection and social care, but also strive to achieve mutual benefits with consumers, employees, and partners.
Chery’s commitment to extend its social responsibility and public welfare efforts to every corner of the globe is unwavering, ensuring its values align with its actions. With this partnership, Chery is supporting UNICEF in its mission to reach every child with crucial educational support, enabling them to reach their full potential.
