Includ-ed, red europea de educación inclusiva

The call for nominations for the UNESCO/Emir Jaber al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah Prize to promote quality education for persons with intellectual disabilities has been opened. The aim of this prize is to reward activities of individuals, organisations or centres that have contributed to the promotion of quality inclusive education. 

The right to education is enshrined in international human rights law. Under article 24 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, state parties shall ensure that "persons with disabilities can access an inclusive, quality and free primary education and secondary education on an equal basis with others in the communities in which they live".

The UNESCO/Emir Jaber al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah Prize was established in 2002 and is supported by the State of Kuwait. Individuals, groups and organisation who have had an impact on promoting equal opportunities in the field of education are eligible candidates. Nominations can be submitted by governments in consultation with UNESCO National Commissions, and non-governmental organisations in official partnership with UNESCO can also submit nominations for the prize.

The prize has three key objectives:

• - To promote actions that have contributed to the implementation of International Declarations and Conventions that stand for the principles of inclusion in education
• - To raise awareness of the right to education for persons with intellectual disabilities 
• - Share good practices in the field of inclusive education
•  

An international jury appointed by the Director-General of UNESCO will select two prize-winners. The prize is awarded at an official ceremony either in Kuwait or at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris on the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

The Prize consists of a certificate and a monetary stipend of US $20,000 to each awarded recipient.

The deadline for nominations for this prize is 13 September 2013. Candidates must submit their application and provide an accompanying letter of recommendation, either from a Member State in consultation with the respective UNESCO National Commission, or by an NGO in official partnership with UNESCO.  

For more information about UNESCO/Emir Jaber al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah Prize, click here.

The application guide can be consulted here.