Through Education for Better, the Foundation is on track to help train 50,000 women and youth across the
Americas
,
European Union
,
Africa
and
Asia
by 2020
ENGLEWOOD, Colo.
--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Today, the
Western Union Foundation
has announced the launch of the
WU Scholars
Program*, a global scholarship program focused on supporting students around the world to pursue a post-secondary education in the areas of science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), business and entrepreneurship.
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“The Western Union Foundation believes that education is the surest path to economic opportunity,” said
John Dye
,
Western Union Foundation
Chairman. “Educational pursuits to gain knowledge and skills for in-demand 21
st
century careers are helping people all over the world rise up the economic ladder.”
The WU Scholars Program is part of the
Western Union
and Western Union Foundation’s global commitment to education through its flagship program
Education for Better
to advance educational opportunities for women, youth, migrants and refugees, through thought leadership, employee donations and volunteerism.
Last year, in connection with International Women’s Day, the
Western Union Company
and the
Western Union Foundation
announced an Education for Better commitment to invest USD
$5M
to train 50,000 women and youth across the
Americas
,
European Union
,
Africa
and
Asia
by 2020. Since the launch of the program, 6,686 beneficiaries have been trained resulting in 82 percent achieving improved employment opportunities and 83 percent achieving improved earning potential. To date, 67 percent of beneficiaries are women or girls.
“We know education is powerful, so we created the Program to give people all over the world a boost toward a better life,” said
Elizabeth Roscoe
,
Executive Director of the Western Union Foundation
. “We’re looking for students that embody the program’s three pillars by demonstrating perseverance, aspiration and are community-minded.”
As part of the WU Scholars program, the
Western Union Foundation
has pledged to award a minimum of 100 scholarships, along with
Western Union
Agent contributions. Through the WU+[You] Scholars Program,
Western Union
Agents and business partners can sponsor students in their region and receive a dollar-for-dollar contribution matched by the
Western Union Foundation
. Today, more than 15 Agents have already contributed to the program, including
GraceKennedy Financial Services
,
Bangkok Bank Ltd.
, Sogexpress, Capital Transfert, and Pay-O-Matic Check Cashing & Financial Services.
Scholarship recipients will receive USD
$2,500
(or local currency equivalent) to contribute toward tuition or school fees at an accredited post-secondary institution. Applications will be accepted through
April 12, 2017
at
12:00 p.m. EDT
. Click
here
to watch the WU Scholars video and apply at
www.WUScholars.org
.
* The Program is administered and operated by the
Institute of International Education, Inc.
(IIE) a US private not-for-profit leader in the international exchange of people and ideas.
About
The Western Union Foundation
The Western Union Foundation
is dedicated to creating a better world, where the ability to realize dreams through economic opportunity is not just a privilege for the few but a right for all. Through its signature program, Education for Better, and with the support of The
Western Union Company
, its employees, Agents, and business partners,
The Western Union Foundation
works to realize this vision by supporting education and disaster relief efforts as pathways toward a better future. Our combined social ventures efforts make life better for individuals, families and communities around the world.
The Western Union Foundation
has paid more than
$111 million
in charitable giving since inception in 2001. These funds have been pledged in more than 138 countries and territories.
The Western Union Foundation
is a separate §501(c)(3) recognized United States charity. To learn more, visit
www.westernunionfoundation.org
, or Follow us on Twitter @TheWUFoundation.
WU-G
View source version on businesswire.com:
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Source:
The Western Union Foundation