On the initiative of UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, FC Bayern Munich and its partner SOS Children's Villages are working to promote the universal rights of children around the world. To mark World Children's Day, the Allianz Arena will be lit up in blue from 16:15 to 23:00 CET on 20 November as part of the "Turn The World Blue" campaign. The colour is intended to highlight the obligation of all societies to enable children to grow up in a healthy and safe environment, regardless of their origin, gender or faith. Global challenges such as poverty, hunger, climate change and violent conflict threaten the lives and futures of millions of girls and boys. The pandemic has further exacerbated this situation.
FC Bayern president Herbert Hainer: "We all have an obligation to work for a fairer and more sustainable future. It is in our hands to pass on a world worth living in to the younger generation. On 20 November, blue will symbolise the joint commitment to this important action, and that is why we 'Reds' will also unite with all other supporters of children's rights on this day by displaying the UNICEF colour."
No child should be left behind
Head of the UNICEF working group in Munich, Ursula Auginski: "We must share our privileges. UNICEF works all over the world to ensure that children can lead healthy and happy lives and enjoy their rights. The #TurnTheWorldBlue campaign helps to raise public awareness to encourage every individual and, above all, our decision-makers to act together. No child should be left behind on the path to the future.“
We need strong children
Member of the SOS Children’s Villages Worldwide executive board, Petra Horn: “We are very grateful to be sending a visible signal for children's rights together with UNICEF and our partner, FC Bayern. World Children’s Day draws attention to one of the most urgent problems of our time: children are too often at the mercy of the most difficult circumstances, left to their own devices and not allowed to 'be a child'. We need strong children who grow up to be courageous young adults and develop into people who make a positive contribution to our society.”
More landmarks to shine in blue
In addition to the Allianz Arena, other landmarks and schools around the world will be lit up in blue on Saturday, including the Olympic Tower and the Giant Ferris Wheel in the Werksviertel district in Munich. People on all continents are invited to dress in blue on 20 November or, for example, to turn their profile picture on social media blue. The Allianz Arena was last illuminated in the colours of the rainbow for Christopher Street Day in July, and previously on other occasions such as the International Weeks against Racism.
Arena of Change
Together with SOS Children's Villages Worldwide, FC Bayern has been conducting the Arena of Change on the FC Bayern Campus since September 2020. The afternoon programme is aimed at a total of 60 young people from five Munich schools, whose social skills will be strengthened over a pilot phase of two years. Having the Arena of Change on the premises of the FC Bayern academy means the club is strengthening its social sustainability goals in the fields of health and reducing inequality, among other areas.
Girls and boys from different backgrounds meet and become friends in the Arena of Change:
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