UNESCO Multisectoral Regional Office and StarTimes Establish Partnership

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Multisectoral Regional Office (“UNESCO”) and Africa’s leading digital TV operator StarTimes, have formally established a partnership by signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that will see the parties engage in joint projects aimed at promoting quality and inclusive education and literacy, enhancing youth participation in the cultural and creative industries, advancing gender equality in sports, and building inclusive knowledge societies.

UNESCO’s communication materials will reach a wide range of audience in sub-Saharan Africa across the StarTimes broadcast network. The Parties will also explore opportunities to co-produce content as well as to develop projects related to information-and-communication-technology-based education, artificial intelligence, youth empowerment, social inclusion for people living with disabilities, and cultural and creative industries.

Mr. Ydo Yao, the Regional Director and Representative of UNESCO, said “Partnerships with private sector are crucial to address today’s global and regional challenges, and UNESCO emphasizes and values these partnerships contributing tooptimal results for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). StarTimes, as a leading TV operator in Africa, has been actively fulfilling its corporate social responsibilities in sub-Saharan Africa and China. Upholding shared mission and goals, this newly-established partnership with StarTimes will bring together advantages and resources to maximize impacts in the areas of education, culture, social and human science, as well as communication and information”.

UNESCO grants high priority to supporting Member States to achieve sustainable development in Africa, creating an enabling environment for gender equality, promoting quality and inclusive education and literacy, enhancing youth participation in the cultural and creative industries, as well as building inclusive knowledge societies.

Mr. Luis Lu, the Vice-President of StarTimes, said that “StarTimes is deeply honored to partner with UNESCO. This is consistent with the work we have been doing with UNAIDS to raise awareness on HIV/Aids, and with SOS Children’s Villages to empower African youth. StarTimes is committed toward helping African societies to rise in a sustainable manner. And this partnership with UNESCO is a new step toward that goal.”