BANGKOK – APEID WENHUI AWARD 2010 – UNESCO

Education and innovations are universally recognized as the keys to improve productivity and achieve sustainable development. Past and recurring economic, financial, food and energy crises, environmental disasters and ongoing conflicts continue to demand answers for meeting the challenges of the 21st century. It is therefore crucial for governments, industries and international organizations to respond to this demand by promoting and supporting innovations in education.

Recognizing the potential of education and the human innovative spirit to address and resolve such pressing issues and problems, the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Programme of Educational Innovation for Development (APEID) and the National Commission of the People’s Republic of China for UNESCO have jointly established the UNESCO-APEID Wenhui Award for Educational Innovation.

Objective : The specific objectives of the Award are to:

* Value and encourage pioneering innovative practices to improve the access to, quality of, and teaching and learning processes in, education. * Recognize the contributions of individuals or institutions which have brought about significant educational innovations to enhance the access to education and improve the quality of teaching and learning processes.
* Foster indigenous wisdom and ingenuity in educational innovation.
Eligibility : Individuals or institutions from UNESCO Member States in Asia and the Pacific region that have designed and implemented significant educational innovation leading to improved access to and quality in education will be eligible for the Award. To qualify for nomination, the candidates shall possess the following qualifications or attributes:
* Have demonstrated their ability to initiate innovative practices that have helped to increase access to information, promote learning and generate new knowledge in the education sector.
* Have verified the positive impact of their contributions to improve the access to education and quality of teaching and learning processes.
* Have proven their commitment in enhancing the reach and quality of education, and promoting the concept of lifelong learning.
* Have established that their innovative practices are current and relevant to the educational issues of the 21st century.

Award : The Award shall be conferred on two individuals or institutions in recognition of their commitment and outstanding efforts in the development of educational innovations according to the theme to be announced each year. The two winners will receive a Certificate of Excellence and prize money of US$ 20,000 each at the UNESCO-APEID International Conference and/or China Hangzhou International Conference on Educational Innovations. Certificates of Merit may also be awarded to individuals or institutions that have demonstrated commendable innovative practices.

For 2010, the theme of the Wenhui Award is Reaching the Marginalized in Basic Education. The winners and awardees of Certificates of Merit will be selected by a jury of distinguished educators from the Asia-Pacific region. The results will be announced through a variety of channels to share the achievements of the winners and awardees.

How To Apply : The Award organizers are calling for nominations from governments, educational institutions, international organizations, non-governmental organizations and individuals in Asia and Pacific countries following the procedure below.
* Nominations shall be submitted to the Award Secretariat at UNESCO Bangkok through the National Commissions for UNESCO, UNESCO Offices, APEID Associated Centres and other organizations associated with UNESCO, using an official Award Application Form available below.
o Each nomination must be accompanied by the following attachments:
+ Description of the candidate’s/institution’s background and achievements (1 page, A4 size, in English)
+ Summary of work, publications and other relevant documents of major importance (maximum of 4 pages, A4 size, in English)
+ Evidence to support the nomination of the candidate (may be in English or local language)
+ Letter(s) of recommendation (in English or local languages)
+ Consent form for use and distribution of materials
+ All nominations must reach the Award Secretariat by 13 August 2010. Please check with your nomination agency on the status of your submission.

Important Dates :
* Closing date for nominations : 13 August 2010
* Selection of shortlisted nominations : 17 September 2010
* Final selection and announcement of winners : 8 October 2010
* Award ceremony : 21 October 2010

Contact:
UNESCO-APEID Wenhui Award Secretariat
UNESCO Bangkok
920 Sukhumvit Road, Prakanong
Bangkok 10110, Thailand

Email: apeid-award(AT)unesco.org

Contact Number: (66-2) 391-0577

Source : http://www.unescobkk.org/education/education-units/apeid/unesco-apeid-wenhui-award-for-educational-innovation-2010/