17 June 2015
• UNESCO estimates there is a $26 billion global education funding gap, 250 million children not being able to read, write or count well, and 132 million children never attended school

• Campaign seeks the support of private sector for education related initiatives

Kuwait - Zain Group, a leading mobile telecom innovator in eight markets in the Middle East and Africa, has announced its adoption of the globally recognized and supported 'Business Backs Education' (BBE) Framework, which seeks the support of the private sector for education-related initiativesin the same quantum as healthcare issues are championed bycorporate entities across the globe.  

The 'Business Backs Education'advocacy campaign was launched at the Global Education & Skills Forum in March 2014 by President Bill Clinton together with Co-Chairs Jim Hagemann-Snabe, former CEO of SAP; and Majid Jafar, CEO of Crescent Petroleum. The campaign is led by the Varkey GEMS Foundation, UNESCO, and Dubai Cares under the auspices of the Global Education and Skills Forum.

Business Backs Education challenges the private sector to:
• By 2020, commit at least 20% of corporate social responsibility (CSR) budgets towards education initiatives prioritizing countries and groups most in need

• Collectively, try and double total global business CSR spending by persuading other business leaders to commit greater resources

• Work with the public sector on core areas of education need such as access to quality education, 21st century skills, global citizenship, and professional development of education professionals.

Commenting on Zain Group's support of the Business Backs Education initiative, Group CEO, Scott Gegenheimer said, "Now more than ever, it is fundamental that organizations whether private or public, work together in order to address the educational gaps that exist across the globe.We at Zain are mindful of the challenges that stem from the huge youth bulge of our region and are committed to support education as a means to spur socio-economic development."

For her part, Jennifer Suleiman, Zain Group's Head of Corporate Sustainability & Social Responsibility said,"From a MENA viewpoint, the region's political turmoil is affecting a significant number of children that don't have access to basic education, which could have severely negative consequences for the region's future. Zain has identified education and the development of young people from the communities we serve as amongst our highest priorities in giving back. Hence it was easy for us to relate to the goals and ambitions set out by the Business Backs Education framework, and we are happy to look at our internal activities and try and work even harder in achieving the ambitious goals that have been laid out."

Suleiman continued, "Zain's current educational activities across our eight markets are plentiful and span from building and rehabilitating schools, driving back-to-school programs, school feeding, and the supply of uniforms, through to vocational training and school e-portals."

Some startling facts regarding the Global Education Challenge:  Globally, it is estimated that 132 million children have not even made it to the doors of a primary or secondary school. A total of 250 million children cannot read, write or count well, and 200 million youths leave school without the skills to find jobs. Additionally there is a huge global education funding gap estimated by UNESCO at $26 billion, annually, if we want to achieve basic education for all children in low-income countries. If the goal is expanded to also include lower secondary education for all children, this gap rises to $38 billion annually.

Today, it is estimated that current global corporate giving to healthcare is 16 times greater than to education despite the acknowledgement that an educated and skilled workforce is critical to our commercial success, and to the development of a peaceful and stable society. "Business Backs Education" ask companies to come together to support global education initiatives by increasing their investments, be they philanthropic, sustainability, social impact, orin corporate citizenship.

In addition, "Business Backs Education" challenges the private sector further to embed 'The Framework for Business Engagement', developed by UNESCO, the UN Global Compact, UNICEF, and the Office of the UN Special Envoy for Global Education. The framework outlines best practice principles and shows how companies can realize core business objectives - growth, cost-reduction, profitability - and at the same time resolve education challenges. For more, please visit www. businessbackseducation.org

-Ends-

About Zain Group
Zain Group is a leading telecommunications operator across the Middle East and Africa providing mobile voice and data services to over 46.1 million active customers as of 31 March, 2015. With a commercial presence in 8 countries, Zain operates in: Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and South Sudan. In Lebanon, the Group manages 'touch' on behalf of the government. In Morocco, Zain has a 15.5% stake in 'INWI', through a joint venture. Zain is listed on the Kuwait Stock Exchange (stock ticker: ZAIN).

For more, please email info@zain.com  or visit: www.zain.com; www.facebook.com/zain; www.twitter.com/zain; www.youtube.com/zain; www.instagram.com/zaingroup; www.linkedin.com/company/zain

© Press Release 2015