Seventeen K-Pop Boy Group Donates $250,000 to UNESCO for International Youth Day Celebration

Seventeen Donates $250, 000 to UNICEF on International Youth Day

On August 12, K-pop sensation Seventeen made headlines by donating $250, 000 to UNESCO in celebration of International Youth Day. This generous contribution was confirmed by their agency, Pledis Entertainment, on Wednesday.

Funds Raised Through Charity Auction

The donation was made possible through profits generated from the “JOOPITER presents: sacai x Seventeen”charity auction. This event, which took place over the summer, was a collaborative effort that included the Japanese fashion brand sacai and Pharrell Williams’ digital platform, JOOPITER. It featured a variety of unique items, such as:

Exclusively designed leather jackets crafted with input from group members
Autographed T-shirts
Collectible “Labubu” blind boxes
Custom necklaces designed in collaboration with designer Yoon Ahn

All proceeds from the auction directly benefited UNESCO’s initiatives aimed at empowering youth across the globe.

A Long-Term Commitment to Youth Empowerment

Seventeen has held the title of UNESCO’s first Goodwill Ambassador for Youth since June 2024. Upon taking on this important role, the 13-member group committed to donating $1 million to launch the “Going Together – For Youth Creativity and Well-Being”program. This initiative has successfully supported 100 teams of young individuals in their self-initiated community projects.

The recent donation is intended to enhance the Global Youth Grant Scheme, which offers financial support to emerging leaders aged 18 to 30. This scheme focuses on addressing critical challenges, including:

Access to education
Environmental sustainability
Promotion of arts and culture

Empowering Messages from Seventeen

In a statement, Joshua, a member of Seventeen, expressed the group’s deep connection to the ideals of International Youth Day. He stated, “Since debut, we have grown by expressing the colorful moments of youth through music infused with our genuine experiences and emotions, which makes the meaning of International Youth Day all the more special to us. We send a message of support to all young people around the world who are pursuing their dreams.”

A Groundbreaking Partnership with UNESCO

Seventeen’s partnership with UNESCO commenced in November 2023, marking them as the first K-pop act invited to speak and perform at the 13th UNESCO Youth Forum, held in conjunction with the organization’s General Assembly in Paris. The group’s impactful speech and performance there received widespread attention, underscoring their commitment to empowering youth globally.

Usage of Donation Funds

Pledis Entertainment announced that UNESCO will utilize the $250, 000 donation to identify and support groundbreaking projects spearheaded by youth. The funds are aimed at fostering leadership, creativity, and social engagement among young people and will be managed through UNESCO’s established youth networks and grant-selection committees to ensure transparency and efficacy.

Upcoming Events and Continued Global Impact

Looking ahead, Seventeen is set to embark on their “Seventeen World Tour [NEW_]”from September 13–14 at Incheon Asiad Main Stadium, followed by performances in Hong Kong and five U. S.cities in October, concluding with four major concerts in Japanese domes from November to December. As they continue to expand their global influence through music, their philanthropic partnership with UNESCO highlights their ongoing commitment to inspire and uplift future generations.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inf7IiloLm0

SEVENTEEN(세븐틴) – SEVENTEEN Session @ UNESCO Youth Forum (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inf7IiloLm0)

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