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Beijing, August 11, 2010 - Players from FC Barcelona took time out of their training schedule in Beijing on August 7, to meet a group of children from earthquake-affected Mianzhu County in Sichuan. The children – aged 8-12 years old – travelled to Beijing from communities receiving reconstruction support from UNICEF.

© UNICEF/China/2010/Jerry Liu An FC Barcelona football player demonstrates his shooting technique to children affected by the Sichuan earthquake prior to a training session at the Beijing Worker's Stadium.

The world famous football club was in Beijing as part of their 2010 Asian Tour. The players presented gifts of autographed jerseys and footballs to the children. The children presented drawings reflecting their hopes for the future to FC Barcelona Head Coach Josep Guardiola. UNICEF has played an important role in supporting children's psycho-social recovery in the earthquake zone.

UNICEF's newest Goodwill Ambassador, Leo Messi, the world's number one football player, also met the children. Messi recently demonstrated his growing commitment to children by visiting Haiti to support UNICEF's earthquake reconstruction programme there.

FC Barcelona is one of UNICEF's best-known international sports partners, supporting UNICEF's work with vulnerable children in various countries. The club has made a unique multi-year commitment to UNICEF including public awareness and substantial philanthropic support expected to pass the US$9 million mark in 2011.

© UNICEF/China/2010/Jerry Liu Children affected by the Sichuan earthquake present two drawings of their hopes and aspirations to Josep Guadiola, Head Coach of FC Barcelona prior to a training session at Beijing Worker's Stadium.

"UNICEF's partnership with FC Barcelona shines a very bright spotlight on the role sport and recreation play in fostering children's development, growth and even their protection,” said Dale Rutstein, Chief of Communication for UNICEF. “Children do better in school when they take part in sports. Sport can also help traumatized and vulnerable children to regain confidence and social skills.”

The children who met with FC Barcelona are from schools that are currently in UNICEF's Early Childhood Development programme covered by the partnership with the Audi. The Audi "Driving Dreams" project contributed some US$2.2 million to support UNICEF's provision of early relief as well as continuing reconstruction efforts in the education sector. UNICEF's earthquake emergency programme, valued at US$45 million, is in its third year in support of Government reconstruction efforts in Sichuan, Gansu and Shaanxi provinces.

On August 8, the children from Sichuan also accompanied FC Barcelona and Guo'an Beijing football players onto the field for their friendly match in Beijing's Bird's Nest stadium. Dr. Yin Yin Nwe, UNICEF Representative to China, attended the kick-off ceremony.

About UNICEF in China:
UNICEF first assisted China between 1947 and 1951, providing emergency services, food and nutrition, health and hygiene training during and after the War of Liberation. In 1979 UNICEF recommenced its cooperation with the Government of China which today 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 AIDS. UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence.  

For further information, please contact:
Dale Rutstein, UNICEF China, +86 13910973801, drutstein@unicef.org