Serena Williams And Lionel Messi Named Ambassadors Of ‘1 In 11’ Campaign

Serena Williams of the U.S. acknowledges the crowd after winning the women's singles match against Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic at the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing October 2, 2014. REUTERS/Petar Kujundzic — Serena Williams of the U.S. acknowledges the crowd after winning the women's singles match against Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic at the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing October 2, 2014. Reuters

World No. 1 Serena Williams and FC Barcelona star Lionel Messi joined the growing list of celebrities who support charitable organisations. Williams and Messi were recently named as the ambassadors of "1 in 11" campaign and they will use their celebrity status to raise awareness about the importance of education. Together, Williams and Messi will work to collect funds to help provide quality education for underprivileged children.

The "1 in 11" campaign was created in partnership with three global organisations -- UNICEF, FUNDACION FC Barcelona, and Reach Out Asia -- in an effort to help children realise their full potential by giving them good quality education. The campaign works toward the goal of raising enough funds to support educational projects in Indonesia, Nepal and Bangladesh. World-famous artists Damien Hirst, Takashi Murakami and Jeff Koons have lent their talent and created designs for the shirts that will be sold at auction in London on Feb. 12 to help raise money for the cause.

Williams and Messi have lent their voices in a video, inviting people to support the "1 in 11" campaign. Williams and Messi are UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors, and both athletes also have their own foundation.

In line with the objectives that the "1 in 11" campaign aims to achieve, Williams' foundation also endeavours to provide not only education but also housing and food to youth all over the world. Messi's charity, on the other hand, also aims to provide education to help improve the quality of the lives of the children.

"In many countries, we take it for granted that every child has the right to receive a quality education, but '1 in 11' children around the world do not enjoy that right, and without it, may never reach their full potential," Williams said in a statement. "We need to kickstart global progress and get that number down to zero, so every child has the chance to learn."

As for Messi, he said that he is supporting the campaign because he knows that every child has the right to good quality education. The Barca star believes that he can inspire the children through his sport to go to school to learn the "values of respect, teamwork, and effort" that could help shape their character and give them the skills they need to face life.

Anybody are encouraged to join the cause. People only need to create their own videos and upload them on social networking websites like Twitter, Instagram and Facebook using the hashtag #1in11 and nominate two other people to take on the challenge. Signed FC Barcelona shirts and tickets to football matches await the winner.