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“It would be hard to match Tostan, led by Molly Melching, in the quality of innovative thinking it has brought to its dedicated work, against seemingly impossible odds."
-- Amartya Sen, Nobel Prize Laureate in Economics (1998)
Tostan Awarded 2007 Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize
World’s Largest Humanitarian Prize Recognizes Tostan’s Grassroots Work
In 2007, Tostan received the prestigious Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize, an award honoring a nongovernmental organization that has made "extraordinary contributions toward alleviating human suffering anywhere in the world." The
1.5
million dollar international prize, given annually, is the world’s largest humanitarian award and one of the largest prizes in any category, equal to the Nobel Prize. Following a rigorous selection process by an international jury, Tostan was chosen out of nearly 250 nominees. Previous recipients of the Hilton Prize include Women for Women International, Partners in Health, Doctors Without Borders and the International Rescue Committee.
"Tostan" is a perfect name. In the Senegalese Wolof language, it means "breakthrough." Tostan is changing the lives of millions of Africans, especially women. Its unique, non-formal approach to education brings rural villagers together to trade songs, to dance and share stories. They're taught to read and write the language they've spoken all their lives but have never seen. In 30 months, they're exposed to basic literacy and math, health and hygiene, problem solving, micro-credit and management skills. Each subject is wrapped in a larger lesson: individual human rights.
-- Conrad N. Hilton Foundation
In awarding the prize, Steven M. Hilton, President and CEO of the Hilton Foundation, noted that Tostan has lived up to its name by "achiev[ing] major breakthroughs, empowering women and improving the lives of millions of people in nine African countries." In his keynote address at the award ceremony in New York City, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon recognized Tostan's work, saying "You have helped improve the lives of millions of individuals in hundreds of African communities. Your grassroots approach has fostered a true understanding and respect for human rights and democracy."
Front row (l-r): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Oureye Sall,
Steven M. Hilton; Back row (l-r): Malick Diagne, Molly Melching
William H. Foege, chairman of Global Health Council and one of the jurors on the selection panel, praised Tostan’s spirit of empowerment, saying, "They are writing a story of inspiration, hard work, grass roots participation, tangible results, and a much brighter future."
In winning this Prize, Tostan joined an amazing group of previous winners. T
wo years ago, the Hilton Humanitarian Prize Laureates decided to come together to form their own organization in order to collaborate and leverage their work in the field. Tostan is proud to be a part of this exciting collaboration.
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