UNICEF, or the United Nations Children's Fund, is a humanitarian organization that works to protect and improve the lives of children around the world. It was founded in 1946 to provide emergency food and healthcare to children in countries that had been devastated by World War II. Since then, UNICEF has expanded its mission to include a wide range of programs aimed at improving the health, education, equality, and protection of children.
UNICEF has been working in Brazil, with a focus on improving the lives and well-being of children and adolescents in the country. Some of the main areas of focus for UNICEF in Brazil have been reducing child mortality rates, expanding education and training opportunities, and promoting employment and income-generating opportunities for young people.
One of UNICEF's key achievements in Brazil has been helping to reduce child mortality rates. Brazil has made significant progress in this area over the past few decades, and UNICEF has played a critical role in this effort. For example, UNICEF has supported initiatives to provide lifesaving vaccines and other healthcare services to children, as well as programs to prevent and treat malnutrition. These efforts have contributed to a significant decline in child mortality rates in Brazil, with the rate dropping by more than half since 1990.
In addition to its work to reduce child mortality, UNICEF has also focused on expanding education and training opportunities for children and young people in Brazil. This has included initiatives to improve the quality of education, increase access to education, and promote equal educational opportunities for all children, regardless of their background or circumstances. UNICEF has also supported programs to provide vocational training and other forms of education and training that can help young people develop the skills they need to find employment and build successful careers.
UNICEF has also worked to promote employment and income-generating opportunities for young people in Brazil, particularly for those who are at risk of poverty or social exclusion. This has included initiatives to provide microcredit and other financial services to young people, as well as programs to assist with getting the knowledge they need to start their own businesses. By supporting young people in their efforts to find employment and build successful careers, UNICEF is helping to create a more prosperous and equitable society in Brazil.
UNICEF Brazil has announced a collaboration with Upland to support web3 education programmes and training opportunities for young people in Brazil. In the face of a sluggish economy and increasing unemployment, the growth of web3 careers is seen as a bright spot, with a 395% increase in web3 positions between 2020 and 2021 and high earning potential for web3 professionals. The collaboration between UNICEF and Upland aims to educate thousands of Brazilians aged 18 to 24, bridging the gap between secondary education and vocational training and providing the skills needed to contribute to the new community-driven virtual world environment.
Funds for the initiative will be raised through the sale of unique UNICEF-branded digital items on the Upland platform, with proceeds going directly to UNICEF to support education projects in Brazil. The education programme, put together by UNICEF's One Million Opportunities initiative and powered by Upland, will teach students foundation skills, job-specific skills, digital skills, entrepreneurial skills, and transferable skills.
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UNICEF has announced that it will be building two branded structures on the Upland platform in Rio de Janeiro to create outdoor decor models that will be sold in the virtual UNICEF Showroom. These items, inspired by holiday gnomes, are popular among Upland users as a way to customize their virtual properties. The gamified experiences, timed for the holiday season, make the items a fun way for users to support UNICEF and an easy way for the community to participate in fundraising for important causes.
All proceeds from the sale of these items will go directly to UNICEF to support its education projects in Brazil. The partnership between UNICEF and Upland is part of a larger effort to provide education, training, and employment opportunities for young people in Brazil.
One Million Opportunities (1MiO) is a coalition in Brazil led by UNICEF that aims to provide professional training, employment, and income-generating opportunities for vulnerable young people between the ages of 14 and 29. The initiative brings together the private sector, civil society, governments, and youth to work towards this goal. It has already generated around 200,000 opportunities with the participation of more than 90 companies and 1,800 partner municipalities. 1MiO is focused on helping young people develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their chosen careers and achieve financial independence. By providing young people with access to training and employment opportunities, 1MiO is working to create a more inclusive and prosperous society for all.
Upland is a technology company that has developed an open web3 platform that maps the metaverse to the real world. The company's mission is to create a thriving and dynamic maker community through a strong entrepreneur economy, allowing users to create and sell items and experiences, monetize assets, and provide entertainment and utility to other users. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, Upland also has locations in Las Vegas, Ukraine, and Brazil. The company was recognized as a promising tech company in 2021 by Fast Company and as a startup to watch in 2022 by Built In SF. In addition to its focus on building a strong virtual economy. The platform is available on iOS, Android, and the web, and can be accessed from anywhere in the world.
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Image credits: Shot by Cerqueira, and Raphael Nogueira