WISE Awards Recognize Six Innovative Initiatives in Education

Doha, September 14 (QNA) - The World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE), a leading international initiative driving innovation and collaboration in education, has announced the six 2014 WISE Awards winning projects. Since 2009 the WISE Awards have identified and promoted some of the most effective practices in tackling urgent global education challenges. The six 2014 WISE Awards winning projects address an array of education challenges linked to employment, creativity, access and literacy: The Song Room - Australia - Providing arts-based programs enhancing the education, personal development and community involvement of the countrys disadvantaged children. Street Children: Reintegration through Education - Egypt Reducing the number of children living and working on the streets of Cairo by providing child-friendly education and life skills. Me & MyCity - Finland - A hands-on learning environment offering pupils positive experiences of entrepreneurship, the economy and society. Educate Girls - India - Improving girls enrolment, retention and academic performance in government schools through community empowerment. We Love Reading - Jordan - Encouraging children to read for pleasure through a cost-efficient, grassroots approach. Alternate Education for Rural Development in Peru - Peru/Spain - Promoting integration of rural work and school life to improve students' employment prospects. A Jury comprised of education leaders, chaired by H.E. Sheikh Abdulla bin Ali Al-Thani, Chairman of WISE, selected the winning projects from a shortlist of 15 finalists, chosen from hundreds of applications. HE Sheikh Abdulla bin Ali Al-Thani remarked: "These initiatives demonstrate how transformative educational programs not only bring real change to the classroom, but can also have a wider influence in communities and society." The six 2014 WISE Awards winning projects will be celebrated at a Gala Dinner during the sixth World Innovation Summit for Education, November 4-6, 2014, in Doha, Qatar. (QNA)