On December 2, 2003, UNESCO's Director General, Mr. Koïchiro Matsuura, appointed Her Royal Highness The Princess of Hanover as UNESCO's Goodwill Ambassador for the education of young girls and women in recognition of Her personal commitment to the protection of children and the family, and of Her contributions to the promotion of UNESCO's programs in that area.

During the ceremony, Director-General Matsuura reminded the attending guests of the role of UNESCO Goodwill Ambassadors "eminent personalities who accepted the mission to publicize, through their professional activities and personal notoriety, the ideals and messages of the Organization in the fields of education, science, culture and communication."

The Princess' mission focuses mainly on a UNESCO project aiming at improving the lives of young girls and women by providing them with non-formal education, vocational training and microcredits.

Accepting Her appointment, The Princess of Hanover declared: "As a priviledged woman and mother, I feel concerned and responsible with the undertaking and realization of this program." Linking Her mission to Her customary children-focused activities, She added: " If we want to provide effective assistance to children, it is essential, even necessary, to support women and mothers"

Overview of activities

Under the direction of H.R.H. The Princess of Hanover, the Principality of Monaco lend its financial support to UNESCO's project labeled "Reinforcing women's capabilities to promote the education of children in rural areas of Burkina Faso". Launched in October 2004 in the village of Ladiga in one of the poorest regions of the country, the program has benefited over 500 women and children, providing the children with a better education and the women with greater autonomy for their development.

In 2005, the operation was extended to the neighboring village of Sapouy, where a daycare center was created, allowing schooling for children and free time for women to pursue revenue-generating activities or training.

In 2006, the Principality of Monaco and UNESCO will collaborate to reinforce women and girls' capabilities to fight poverty in Niger. The actions will be centered around the village of Kahé to fight the extreme destitution in which rural communities currently live. The project will benefit approximately 1000 people, mainly women, through literacy education and training programs, and will provide them with greater autonomy by creating revenue-generating activities, such as a windmill run by women and girls.