Bangladeshi national Mohammed Rezwan, who invented a floating education system to ensure access to year-round and quality education in flood-prone regions, has been nominated for the World's Children's Prize (WCP).
He is one of the three Child Rights Heroes who are in the running to receive this prestigious prize.
Mohammed Rezwan has been fighting for 25 years for the right of all children, and especially vulnerable girls, to go to school, despite increased poverty and flooding caused by climate change.
Mohammed and his organisation Shidhulai Swanirvar Sangstha operate 26 floating schools, as well as floating libraries, health clinics, and vocational training for young women. His original idea for floating schools has spread throughout Bangladesh and to several other countries.
Millions of children around the world will now learn about the work of Mohammed Rezwan and the other Child Rights Heroes to support children. They will then take part in the children’s Global Vote to choose the recipient of the World’s Children’s Prize.
Collectively, the nominees have been fighting for almost 100 years to protect the rights of vulnerable children. The WCP Child Jury, representing children from all over the world selected floating school innovator Rezwan, along with two other eminent persons from Canada and Vietnam who also dedicated their lives to the wellbeing of children.
• Cindy Blackstock, Canada
For her 30-year fight for the rights of indigenous children to get a good education, be healthy, grow up safely at home and be proud of their language and culture.
• Thích Nu Minh Tú, Vietnam
For her almost 40-year fight as a Buddhist nun to protect orphans and children whose families cannot afford to support them.
Since its launch in 2000, 46 million children have learned about the work of the Child Rights Heroes to support vulnerable children and have subsequently participated in the Global Vote to choose the recipient of the World’s Children’s Prize.
The three Child Rights Heroes will be honoured at the 20th World’s Children’s Prize Ceremony at Gripsholm Castle in Mariefred, Sweden, on 4 October 2023. Queen Silvia of Sweden will help children from twelve countries, who will act as hosts for the ceremony, to award the prizes. The prize money, SEK 500,000, is used to support the work of the Child Rights Heroes, and since 2000 has contributed to a better life for tens of thousands of vulnerable children.
Patrons of the World’s Children’s Prize include Malala Yousafzai, the late Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu, Queen Silvia, and several former Swedish Prime Ministers and Ministers for Children. The WCP Program is also supported by 76,000 schools in 120 countries and 849 organisations.
The World’s Children’s Prize Foundation (WCPF) receives support from Svenska Postkodlotteriet, ForumCiv, Queen Silvia’s Care About the Children Foundation, Survé Philanthropies and Sparbanksstiftelsen Rekarne, among others.
