PARIS, Feb 24 (KUNA) -- The UNESCO on Friday announced Prof. Douglas Biklen, of the United States, winner of UNESCO/Amir Jaber al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah Prize to Promote Quality Education for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities.
The announcement was made by UNESCO's Director-General Irina Bokova who commended the laureate as "a distinguished promoter of education for persons with disabilities." Biklen is Dean of the School of Education, Professor and founding faculty member of the Center on Human Policy, Law and Disability Studies, Syracuse University (USA).
Over the past 40 years, his work has inspired researchers and given hope to many families of persons with disabilities from around the world. His ground-breaking books and films - notably, Achieving the Complete School (1985), Schooling without Labels (1992), and My Classic Life as an Artist (2004) - have had a significant impact on the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families. They have also influenced prevailing perceptions of such disabilities. Biklen will receive a monetary award of 40,000 USD on 29 February in a ceremony to be hosted by the Government of Kuwait. The laureate was selected on the recommendation of an International Jury. Established in 2002, the UNESCO/Amir Jaber al-Ahmed al-Jaber al-Sabah Prize recognizes the outstanding activities of individuals, groups, organizations or centres that promote quality education for persons with intellectual disabilities. Generously funded by the Government of Kuwait, the Prize is awarded every two years. Twenty three candidatures were proposed by Member States for the Prize.
Meanwhile, Kuwait's Permanent Delegate to the UNESCO Ambassador Dr. Ali Al-Tarrah said, in statements to KUNA, the award shows that the State of Kuwait shares the UNESCO's care for the efforts to improve the quality of education for persons with disabilities.
"Candidates from 22 countries are vying for the 2011 prize which materializes the global significance of the prestigious the prize," the Kuwaiti diplomat added.
Al-Tarrah paid tribute to Kuwait's late Amir for his contribution to the UNESCO efforts particularly in the domain of education for the disabled persons. (end) amm.gb KUNA 241659 Feb 12NNNN