Save the Children UK’s Patron, Her Royal Highness The
Princess Royal, has met children playing football in
Thailand and leading climate campaigns in South Korea as
part of her visits to the child rights organisation
[1].
In Bangkok, Her Royal Highness met children
participating in football-related activities at a school in
one of the city’s largest informal urban communities,
where many families face social and economic
challenges.
in Thailand prepare for a game of football during Save the
Children UK’s Patron, Princess Anne, The Princess Royal,
during her visit to Thailand
(Photo/Supplied)
The ‘Play for
Change’ sporting event gave 60 children and youths from
Bangkok and Northern Thailand the chance to connect with and
learn from people from different backgrounds to promote
inclusion and build confidence through sport.
Speaking
at the event, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal
said:
“Save the Children Thailand, whose work here
since 1979 and whose projects I have seen before show the
value of practical support, partnership and the community
leadership that really does transform the lives of
children.”
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal
added:
“I know the value of football, and I know the
value of sport in so many different ways. It’s not just
about competition. These values really lie in building
confidence and teamwork and talent, and the confidence to
have that talent and to deal with success and failure. And
for those who are here from the Liverpool Football Club
Foundation, we’re having to deal with failure this morning
and some of you didn’t get much sleep, so I apologise.”
[2]
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The event was hosted by Save the Children Thailand
in partnership with British Embassy Bangkok and Liverpool
Football Club Foundation. One of Liverpool FC’s legendary
former players, Emile Heskey, presented certificates to
children and youths, including Moe Pyae Pyae Zaw, 15, who
was very excited to be playing football, making new friends
and visiting Bangkok for the first time.
Moe Pyae
Pyae Zaw said:
“My mother once asked me why, as a
girl, I wanted to play football. I believe that playing
football isn’t about gender. It’s about
teamwork.”
Guillaume Rachou, Executive Director of
Save the Children Thailand, said:
“We are incredibly
honoured to host the Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal
and to show her the talent and aspirations of children and
youth in Thailand.
“Play is one of the most powerful
ways children learn, develop confidence, build relationships
and discover their potential, regardless of their background
or circumstances.
“At Save the Children, we believe
every child deserves opportunities to play, learn,
participate, and thrive. Her Royal Highness’ visit
celebrates the power of play and the power of partnerships
to help children build brighter futures.”
During her
visit to Save the Children Korea in Seoul on 15 July, Her
Royal Highness met with Earthemble, a child and youth
participation group, and Young Saver, the organisation’s
child rights advocacy group.
Seoyeon Lee, 17,
Earthemble Leadership Member, said:
“It was a great
honour to meet Her Royal Highness and exchange perspectives
and experiences on climate action. As an Earthemble
Leadership member, I hope this meaningful exchange will help
amplify children’s voices on the climate crisis and inspire
more people to take action.”
The children presented a
statement on the climate crisis and child rights to The
Princess Royal which reflected their perspectives on the
climate crisis and included proposals for governments,
businesses, local authorities and schools to ensure that
children’s voices are reflected in climate policies and
decision-making.
Joon Oh, Chairman of Save the
Children Korea, said:
“We are honoured to welcome Her
Royal Highness The Princess Royal to Save the Children Korea
and are deeply grateful for her longstanding support for
children.
“107 years after Save the Children was
founded, this was a fantastic opportunity for children and
youth we support to share their views with her firsthand on
the challenges facing them and future
generations.”
The Princess Royal served as President
of Save the Children UK from 1970 to 2017 before becoming
the charity’s Patron in 2017. Save the Children was the
first major charity with which she became closely
associated.[1]
In her work for the organisation, The
Princess Royal has visited Save the Children projects in
countries around the world including China, Botswana,
Uganda, Madagascar, the Philippines and Sri
Lanka.
Save the Children has worked in Thailand since
1979. Save the Children Thailand works to support children
who are most impacted by discrimination and inequality
through programmes on education, child protection,
livelihood and child rights governance.
Save the
Children Korea works to ensure that every child can grow up
safe, healthy and protected through its domestic and
international programmes, humanitarian assistance, and
policy and advocacy work.
References:
[1] The
Princess Royal: https://www.royal.uk/the-princess-royal
[2]
Reference to England’s defeat in the FIFA World Cup semi
finals on 15 July
About Save the Children
NZ:
Save the Children works in 120 countries across
the world. The organisation responds to emergencies and
works with children and their communities to ensure they
survive, learn and are protected.
Save the Children NZ
currently supports international programmes in Fiji,
Cambodia, Bangladesh, Laos, Nepal, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands
and Papua New Guinea. Areas of work include child
protection, education and literacy, disaster risk reduction
and climate adaptation, and alleviating child
poverty.
