Press release
UNESCO and K-pop group SEVENTEEN announce $1 million grant scheme for youth well-being and creativity
This group has become a symbol for millions of young people around the world, to whom we transmit positive energy and the spirit of leadership. UNESCO, as the United Nations organization for Culture and Education, is delighted to join forces with SEVENTEEN to give young people the means to express themselves and to take action to rise to this century’s major challenges.
We are grateful to be recognized for our consistent effort and longstanding passion to contribute to youth worldwide. We know that our dreams don’t stand alone and now, to give back what we’ve received from all of you, we are determined to use our voice to create a global youth community made stronger through mutual love and support.
UNESCO and SEVENTEEN’s Global Youth Grant Scheme will support youth-led initiatives worldwide that address challenges affecting the well-being and development of young people and their communities, in particular through music, the arts and sport. To this end, it will support project leaders aged from 18 to 30 years old, from different backgrounds and regions.
As part of their ambassadorship, SEVENTEEN will also take part in UNESCO’s awareness campaigns and events, and will promote UNESCO’s values and actions during their performances. In November 2023, the group participated in the 13th UNESCO Youth Forum, delivering a speech and doing its very first live performance in France, with an online audience exceeding 40 million video views.
UNESCO supports youth across the world
As part of its mandate for Education, Sciences and Culture, UNESCO has implemented numerous youth-led initiatives and supported youth networks to tackle the major challenges of our century, such as the fight against climate disruption. The Organization has also created a direct line of communication between young people and the leaders of its 194 Member States through UNESCO Youth Forum.
UNESCO dedicates several programmes to involving young people in its mandate. The World Heritage Volunteers Initiative has enabled hundreds of young people to take part in heritage restoration projects, the “L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Young Talents" programme awards some 30 fellowships each year to young women researchers, while UNESCO’s Transcultura programme, financed by the European Union, has supported 1,700 young artists and creative industry professionals in the Caribbean.
UNESCO also supports young people in situations of crisis or recovery. In Yemen, UNESCO has trained and financed over 4,000 young people over the past six years to restore traditional houses and supported 200 young artists in their creative projects. UNESCO has also dedicated a large part of its “Revive the Spirit of Mosul” initiative to the training of young people and to their participation in the revival of local cultural life.
About UNESCO
With 194 Member States, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization contributes to peace and security by leading multilateral cooperation on education, science, culture, communication and information. Headquartered in Paris, UNESCO has offices in 54 countries and employs over 2300 people. UNESCO oversees more than 2000 World Heritage sites, Biosphere Reserves and Global Geoparks; networks of Creative, Learning, Inclusive and Sustainable Cities; and over 13 000 associated schools, university chairs, training and research institutions. Its Director-General is Audrey Azoulay.
“Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed” – UNESCO Constitution, 1945.
More information: www.unesco.org
About SEVENTEEN
SEVENTEEN—comprised of S.COUPS, JEONGHAN, JOSHUA, JUN, HOSHI, WONWOO, WOOZI, THE 8, MINGYU, DK, SEUNGKWAN, VERNON and DINO—have rocketed to the forefront of the music scene fueled by a fiercely independent spirit and a nonpareil in-house creative ecosystem. The 13-piece act’s innovative structure hinges on the interplay of three units: hip-hop, vocal, and performance. The creative powerhouse closed out 2022 as the first K-pop act to win PUSH Performance of the Year at MTV Video Music Awards as well as Best New and Best Push at MTV European Music Awards before reaching new heights. In 2023, 10th Mini Album FML and 11th Mini Album SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN both debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and No.1 on World Albums chart, proceeding to become the top 2 best-selling albums in K-pop history. Having placed the group on top of the Billboard Artist 100, FML was further recognized as the biggest-selling global album of 2023 by IFPI with over 6.4 million copies sold worldwide. The K-pop icon will continue to expand their global reach in 2024, returning to Europe with upcoming performances at Glastonbury Festival and Lollapalooza Berlin following their dedicated speech and performance session at the 2023 UNESCO Youth Forum in Paris.
Press contact
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