Qantas Airways and The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) will embark on new fundraising initiatives to herald their 21 year partnership, which has yielded the global development organisation millions of dollars and helped transform lives around the world.

The loose change from Qantas passengers has helped UNICEF improve the lives of tens of thousands of the world’s poorest children and their families including supporting education, vaccinating babies and young children, providing malaria-preventing mosquito nets, delivering HIV education campaigns and supporting disadvantaged orphans.

“This was born from a simple innovative idea 21 years ago and has grown into real change in the lives of children in some of the poorest corners of the world,” said Anthony Lake Executive Director of UNICEF.

“The efforts of Qantas, especially the crew members who spread the message every day on every flight, have led not only to funds but to more champions for children everywhere as the partnership expands and more and more children benefit.”

The “Change for Good” program has provided funds for a diverse range of projects including in Macedonia, Thailand and Papua New Guinea, as well as supporting emergency relief following the Boxing Day 2004 Tsunami, the Haiti Earthquake and the food crisis in the Horn of Africa.

“We are exceptionally proud to be a partner of UNICEF and through the efforts of our crew and generous donations from our customers, be in a position to turn small change into big benefits for children in the most challenging environments,” said Qantas Airways Chief Executive, Alan Joyce.

“Through UNICEF, Qantas and its passengers have made a real difference to the health and happiness of many children who may otherwise have struggled to survive. This is why Qantas remains even more committed to not just continuing, but enhancing its partnership with UNICEF,” said Mr Joyce.

From September, Qantas Frequent Flyers will be able to use their points to donate funds to UNICEF to support projects such as vaccinating children against disease, supplying mosquito nets and training teachers to help children access quality education.

Qantas will continue to support the in-flight ‘Change for Good’ program on all its domestic and International flights, with staff as committed as ever to its success with the recent launch of a Qantas Cabin Crew Ambassador program.

“This is an exciting development between UNICEF and Qantas as the Qantas Cabin Crew is fundamental to the success of the Change for Good program,” said Norman Gillespie Chief Executive of UNICEF Australia.

“Without their enthusiasm, passion and belief in its cause the Change for Good program would not help as many lives as it does.”

About Change For Good

Change for Good® is an innovative partnership between UNICEF and the international airline industry, including Qantas. The alliance is designed to collect unused currency from passengers and convert their spare coins and notes in to life-saving materials and services for vulnerable children around the world. In-flight video’s and announcements inform passengers of the program so they can donate by leaving their spare currencies in envelopes provided. The funds are donated to the respective National Committee for UNICEF, which are then transferred to UNICEF programmes helping children in over 150 countries around the world. Since its launch in 1987, the Change for Good® program has generated over US $70million, with Qantas passengers contributing more than 20% of that total.

About UNICEF

UNICEF is the driving force that helps build a world where the rights of every child are realised. It has the global authority to influence decision-makers, and the variety of partners at grassroots level to turn the most innovative ideas into reality. That makes UNICEF unique among world organisations, and unique among those working with the young. UNICEF works in over 190 countries to promote and protect the rights of children. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, clean water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and HIV. In Australia, UNICEF advocates for the rights of all children to be realised and works to improve public and government support for child rights and international development. UNICEF receives no funding from the UN, but relies on the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.
Qantas contact

Amanda Bolger
Manager
PR, Media and Communications
Qantas Airways Ltd
+61 402 137 071
amandabolger@qantas.com.au

UNICEF Contacts

Sarah Crowe
Senior Media Advisor / Spokesperson
UNICEF
Tel: +1 212 326 7206
Mobile: +1 646 209 1590
scrowe@unicef.org

Tim O’Connor
Director of Communications and Advocacy
UNICEF Australia
0435 206 273
toconnor@unicef.org.au