The World Innovation Summit for Education (Wise) has selected 15 projects from around the world as the 2014 Wise Awards finalists.

This year’s shortlisted projects represent some of the most inspiring and visionary work undertaken by non-governmental and charitable organizations, cultural institutions and the private sector, a statement said.

Inaugurated in 2009, the Wise Awards identify and promote novel solutions to real-world education challenges.

This year’s finalists, which include projects from Egypt and Jordan, showcase creative approaches to issues of access, quality and employment. The projects combine conventional tools with a range of technologies to achieve results in a variety of areas which include: special needs education, promoting literacy and reading, running a small business, and reaching marginalized communities, it said.
 
Sheikh Abdulla bin Ali Al-Thani, chairman of Wise and chairman of the Wise Awards jury, said: “This year’s Wise Awards finalists represent some of the most innovative and groundbreaking projects currently changing lives around the world. They originate in many countries and they are breaking down barriers to education in many areas. The sustainable, replicable solutions created by these educational projects can help improve access, quality and relevance the world over.”

The six winning projects will be announced in September and celebrated at the sixth World Innovation Summit for Education, from November 4-6 in Doha. In addition to publicity and networking opportunities, each will receive $20,000.

The finalists are:
* Peace Education Curriculum for Afghan Students (Afghanistan / USA)
* Adopt a Village (Canada)
* Growing Communities of Readers (South Africa)
* Alternate Education for Rural Development in Peru (Spain / Peru)
* The Song Room (Australia)
* The School Enterprise Challenge (UK)
* Videobooks for deaf children (Argentina)
* Me & MyCity (Finland)
* Lenguas Jovenes (Mexico)
* IB Career-related Certificate (Switzerland)
* Street Children: Reintegration through Education (Egypt)
* Open Book (UK)
* Educate Girls (India)
* We Love Reading (Jordan)
* New Education Experiment (China) - TradeArabia News Service