The president of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Luis Alberto Moreno, along with pop singer Shakira and her Foundation ALAS have announced the launch of the third edition of the ALAS-IDB awards to celebrate innovation, excellence and investment in programs benefiting children under the age of six in Latin America and the Caribbean.
"This is the third time that we have launched a competition to recognize the very important work of people in Latin America and the Caribbean who are committed to young children," said Shakira. "I am convinced that the future starts with them.”
Moreno appealed to organizations and individuals who work in early childhood development to take part in the ALAS-IDB awards. "Our hope is that the most outstanding examples in the field of early childhood development, those which are improving the lives of children and their families, serve as an inspiration and motivate the rest of society to keep working to improve education in Latin America and the Caribbean."
The ALAS-IDB awards are the first initiative of this kind in the region and seek to recognize high-quality early childhood programs that combine preschool education, psycho-social stimulation, nutrition and health. Programs will also be recognized for their cultural competence and inclusiveness of girls and boys, parents, caretakers and communities. .
Citizens of the 26 borrowing member countries of the IDB may compete in four award categories: best center, best children's publication, best innovation and best educator. In the last competition there were more than 700 nominations, a reflection of the region's keen interest in early childhood development.