We are proud to join forces with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and its partners to protect the right to education during unprecedented disruption caused by the pandemic. As a member of the Global Education Coalition, we will offer free rides to teachers and families in need and enable the delivery of meals and back to school kids to the hardest hit students. 

This week we are launching our first initiative in support of the coalition’s objectives: delivering 400,000 meals and food parcels to more than 4,000 families in need across 6 countries – UK, Kenya, Mexico, Colombia, Panama and Costa Rica. 

As a signatory of the Women’s Empowerment Principles, we will promote equality and advocacy through community initiatives. In the coming months we will work with UNESCO and local partners in many countries around the globe to offer the following:

  • Free rides for members of vulnerable families wishing to visit UNESCO World Heritage sites, or other places of cultural significance. This can help ensure continuity of learning for vulnerable families to take home-schooling to some important sites globally.
  • Free rides for teachers as schools reopen. This can help preserve the status of teachers by honoring them as essential workers.
  • Back-to-school kits for vulnerable families. This can help enable a full and equitable return to school by allowing children to receive needed items.

“This pandemic has amplified inequalities and we are committed to supporting vulnerable children and their families now and when schools reopen,” said Stefania Giannini, UNESCO Assistant-Director General for Education. “We believe Uber’s initiatives under UNESCO’s Global Education Coalition will make a meaningful difference by providing vital support to children’s health and well-being and helping them and teachers get back to school.”