Qatar Airways partnered with Paris Saint-Germain football club to empower Education Above All (EAA) Foundation children through a journey of education and sports. The award-winning airline, alongside its partners, brought children from different backgrounds together, for a once-in-a-lifetime experience with the Paris Saint-Germain football players at the Parc des Princes stadium.
The national carrier of the State of Qatar has been a long-term supporter of EAA Foundation as the resource partner of the foundation, and this latest initiative saw the collaboration with EAA’s schools, which uplifts children facing barriers to education. A dream come true, EAA Foundation children embarked on a journey to Paris where they had the opportunity to accompany the stars of Paris Saint-Germain onto the field before their exciting ‘Ligue 1’ fixture.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker said: “At Qatar Airways, we see the value in supporting and inspiring young people who face barriers to education, which is why we have supported the Educate A Child programme by EAA since 2014. After hosting the biggest sporting event the Middle East has ever seen, the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022TM, we have come to see the role of football in education and its contribution to the overall development of young people.
“We believe that this collaboration with Paris Saint-Germain football club and EAA Foundation brings together education and sports to nurture young minds and inspire more children to participate in sports, which in turn equips them with valuable life skills.”
Education Above All Foundation’s CEO, Mr. Fahad Al Sulaiti, shared his thoughts on the unique partnership: “Sports, particularly football, have an unparalleled capacity to empower and enlighten. They instill invaluable qualities in our youth – teamwork, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence – values that resonate beyond the sporting realm. Our collaboration with Qatar Airways and Paris Saint-Germain has breathed life into these lessons, turning dreams into reality for these children as they join the Paris Saint-Germain stars on the field. This experience transcends the extraordinary; it’s a powerful endorsement of their potential and a shining example of what teamwork can achieve. It ignites a spark that we hope illuminates their educational journey. On behalf of the entire EAA Foundation, I extend a heartfelt thank you to Qatar Airways and Paris Saint-Germain for their steadfast dedication to empowering our future generations through education and sports. Collectively, we’re making an enduring impact.”
Fabien Allegre, Paris Saint-Germain Chief Brand Officer and Paris Saint-Germain Foundation/Endowment Fund Deputy Director, added: “Paris Saint-Germain and the Paris Saint-Germain Foundation/Endowment fund are very pleased to support Qatar Airways’ Education Above All program. This joint commitment is the natural continuation of our partnership. We share with Qatar Airways the same commitment to help young people take-off and reach their full potential.”
Combining the power of education and football, the children created lifelong memories, participating in training with the Paris Saint-Germain Foundation, as well as exploring the mesmerising city. The journey was curated to capture the excitement of Paris, experience the passion of supporting France’s most successful football team, and embody the virtues of sport such as teamwork, co-operation, focus, and discipline.
EAA is a Global Foundation established in 2012, with the aim of building a movement that contributes to human social and economic development through quality education and other welfare programmes and initiatives. EAA currently works in over 60 countries world-wide and has supported 15 million children and youth access their fundamental right to quality education.
Since 2014, Qatar Airways has pledged its support to EAA to provide access to quality education for those children and youth facing barriers. The award-winning airline has raised approximately QAR 19.2 million by collecting donations onboard and matching those donations.
About the Education Above All (EAA) Foundation
The Education Above All (EAA) Foundation is a global foundation established in 2012 by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser. EAA aims to transform lives through education. We believe that education is the single most effective means of reducing poverty, creating peaceful and just societies, unlocking the full potential of every child and youth, and creating the right conditions to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Through our multi-sectoral approach, unique financing models, focus on innovation as a tool for social good, and partnerships, we aim to bringing hope and real opportunities to the lives of impoverished and marginalised boys and girls.
EAA is comprised of: Educate A Child (EAC), Al Fakhoora, Reach Out To Asia (ROTA), Protect Education in Insecurity and Conflict (PEIC), Innovation Development (ID) and Together project.
About Paris Saint-Germain football club
Paris Saint-Germain football club was founded in 1970 and celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2020. Since its takeover by QSI in 2011, Paris Saint-Germain has transformed itself to become one of the world’s leading sports brands and one of the best football clubs on the planet. The Club has won 29 new trophies and reached 47 titles since its creation, building up the most successful trophy cabinet in French football. Paris Saint-Germain have attracted many big names, including Ronaldinho, Beckham and Ibrahimovic, and now Messi, Neymar Jr and Mbappé, who are among the best players in the world. The club is growing in popularity worldwide. It is now one of the most followed clubs in the world, with its social media community having jumped from zero to nearly 190 million followers. The forward-thinking club, which is active in men’s football, women’s football, handball and judo, added eSport to its portfolio in 2016. The Club is committed to giving back to the community and has significantly increased the resources of its Foundation, with the intention of developing large-scale programmes for children in need.
