As part of a global initiative, IKEA and IKEA Foundation are teaming up with six leading children’s rights organizations and putting play at the heart of a new good cause campaign

Burlington, ON – Today, IKEA Canada announced a new campaign, Let’s Play for Change which supports children’s development and learning, equal participation, sports, and of course, play. For every children’s book and toy sold at IKEA stores between November 20th and December 24th, the IKEA Foundation will make a donation of $1 to support children’s right to play and develop in some of the world’s most vulnerable communities. The IKEA Foundation’s partners in this campaign are Handicap International Federation, Room to Read, Save the Children, Special Olympics, UNICEF and War Child. The programs supported by the campaign focus on children affected by disabilities, the Syrian conflict, unsafe migration, and poverty.

In additional support of this initiative, for the third consecutive year, IKEA invites children from around the world to enter into a drawing competition in IKEA stores. Ten winners will have their drawings turned into real soft toys, as part of a limited collection SAGOSKATT– designed by kids, for kids.  Among last year’s finalists, Léonard from Canada was selected as one of ten winners to see his warm and happy sun come to life.

“The Let’s Play for Change campaign truly exemplifies how the creative minds of children around the world can make a global impact to encourage children’s right to play,” Brendan Seale, Sustainability Manager, IKEA Canada.

Let’s Play for Change builds on the success of previous IKEA good cause campaigns, which have raised €118.8 million, since 2003. This is the biggest IKEA good cause campaign yet – with more products and more partners than ever before.

“We’re proud that a winner from Canada was selected for the first time and through our partnership with the IKEA Foundation will have the potential to change the lives of thousands of children around the world,” continued Seale.

IKEA’s commitment to enhancing the lives of children and families globally, is born in part out of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Children, which states that every child should have the right to play. Sadly not every child enjoys this right. Millions of children are on the move, making them vulnerable to discrimination, violence, abuse and exploitation, according to a play insights document released by IKEA Foundation today. The insights also revealed that children with disabilities are often the most likely to be excluded from play and learning activities.

Words from the IKEA Foundation’s partners

First hand testimonials from the IKEA Foundation’s partners that speak to the impact that this partnership will have in support of each partners causes.

Handicap International Federation—in Pakistan, Thailand and Bangladesh

Provides Early Childhood Development opportunities to children with disabilities and other vulnerable children in displacement settings.

Cheryl Shin-Hua Yeam, Handicap International regional technical coordinator said:

“Children in refugee camps come from difficult backgrounds, having fled war and violence, facing poverty and poor health conditions. Play is an important tool for them to work through these issues and to be a child. Therefore we want to create inclusive communal spaces where vulnerable children feel safe and can develop through play.”

Room to Read—in Bangladesh and Indonesia

Transforms the lives of children through a high quality of education that includes teacher training, provision of learning materials and developing children in both literacy and reading.

“Room to Read will bring the joy of reading and a love of learning to tens of thousands of children in government schools in Bangladesh and Indonesia”, said Erin Ganju, CEO and co-founder of Room to Read. “Our innovative, data-driven, and cost-effective Literacy Program will effect systemic change in hundreds of communities through the establishment of libraries, training of teachers, and the capacity development of local authors and illustrators to publish locally-relevant and engaging children’s books.”

Save the Children—in Bangladesh and Ethiopia

Prevents unsafe migration of children by promoting protection, education and play for children on the move.

“Save the Children is giving children on the move a chance of a better future. The IKEA Foundation, with support from IKEA employees and customers worldwide, helps us fulfill children’s right to protection, education and play. Children on the move are highly vulnerable and our program intends to deliver lasting improvements to their lives,” said Patricia Erb, President and CEO of Save the Children Canada.

Special Olympics—in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Thailand

Promotes, through sports and play, inclusion and development of children with intellectual disabilities.

Mary Davis, Chief Executive Officer, Special Olympics said.  “It is shocking and disheartening to note that the majority of children with intellectual disabilities have little to no access to valuable services and educational opportunities, which often entrenches them and their families in a cycle of poverty and social isolation, which ultimately, hinders their human development.  The Special Olympics Young Athletes program, a sports-play program designed to promote motor, social and cognitive development and inclusion for children with intellectual disabilities, offers children the opportunity to learn inclusive play in a safe environment.  Thanks to our partners at the IKEA Foundation, we are able to grow our Young Athletes program and reach more children, impact more families and further break down the perceptions that exist for children with intellectual disabilities.”

UNICEF—in China, India, Indonesia and Kenya           

Provides safe spaces, education and health support for children aged 0-8 to ensure early childhood development in some of the poorest communities.

When the brains and bodies of young children are protected, nurtured and stimulated they have the best possible chance of developing fully, learning effectively, and contributing to their economies and societies when they reach adulthood. Thanks to the Let’s Play for Change campaign, we can reach even more children in China, India, Indonesia and Kenya with nurturing care programs and help young children grow up in the enriching environments they need for optimal development.” said UNICEF Chief of Early Childhood Development Pia Rebello Britto.

War Child—in Jordan and Lebanon

Provides a safe environment to play, learn and develop for children in Jordan and Lebanon who have been affected by the Syrian conflict.

Tjipke Bergsma, Managing Director War Child Holland added: “War is not a child’s play. Every child should have the right to play with its peers in a safe space. Thanks to the IKEA Foundation 18,000 Syrian and vulnerable local children in Jordan and Lebanon will be able to play, reclaim their childhood and rebuild their future after years of violence.”

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ABOUT IKEA CANADA
IKEA is a leading home furnishing retailer with 375 stores in more than 50 countries worldwide, which are visited by 884 million people every year. IKEA Canada has 12 stores, an eCommerce virtual store, 6 Pick-up and order points in Quebec City and southern Ontario and two Collection Points in Halifax and Saskatoon. The company also recently announced plans to open stores in Halifax and Quebec City. Last year, IKEA Canada welcomed 25 million visitors to its stores and 75 million visitors to the IKEA.ca website. Founded in 1943, IKEA’s business philosophy is to offer a wide range of products of good design and function at prices so low, the majority of people can afford them. For more information on IKEA, please visit: www.IKEA.ca.

About IKEA Foundation

The IKEA Foundation (Stichting IKEA Foundation) is the philanthropic arm of INGKA Foundation, the owner of the IKEA Group of companies. We aim to improve opportunities for children and youth in some of the world’s poorest communities by funding holistic, long-term programs that can create substantial, lasting change. The IKEA Foundation works with strong strategic partners applying innovative approaches to achieve large-scale results in four fundamental areas of a child’s life: a place to call home; a healthy start in life; a quality education; and a sustainable family income, while helping these communities fight and cope with climate change.

Learn more at www.ikeafoundation.org and www.facebook.com/IKEAfoundation

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FOR MORE INFORMATION:

 

IKEA CANADA                                                                                               

Stephanie Harnett
Corporate Press Officer
905-637-9440 ext. 6378
stephanie.harnett@IKEA.com

 

Media Contact

For additional information please contact Daniel Kim, Communications Officer:

416-218-1894

dkim@savethechildren.ca

About Save the Children

Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. In Canada and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming their lives and the future we share.