Partners in Learning Earns Highly Prestigious Recognition in Brazil

Ana Teresa Ralston, Partners in Learning academic program manager, and Michel Levy, Microsoft Brazil general manager, receive the ECO Award 2008 from Thomas White, US general consul in São Paulo

Noting its extensive commitment to helping improve education in Brazil, Partners in Learning received the country's most highly regarded recognition for corporate citizenship, the ECO Award. In the last five years, through a range of initiatives, Partners in Learning has reached more than 668,000 educators and students.

Partners in Learning focuses on creating local solutions to worldwide education challenges. In Brazil, where many schools struggle to make use of limited technology resources, a meeting with members of the country's Ministry of Education in 2003 helped identify the direction for the Partners in Learning initiative. It includes three programs—ICT for Principals, Student Help Desk, and Peer Coaching. Together, they work to help students achieve their full potential, even in the poorest neighborhoods.

ICT for Principals helps promote the effective use of technology in every school department and supports its creative use in every classroom. Developed and implemented in collaboration with the Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo, ICT for Principals supports school administrators in using technology for daily school management and in understanding the pedagogical value of technology in the classroom. Student Help Desk provides students with the IT skills necessary to help maintain their schools' computer labs and assist their teachers with curriculum development. Peer Coaching is a professional development model to help teachers become "teacher leaders" who can serve as peer coaches for colleagues. The program encourages and supports virtual collaboration between educators so they can work together to strengthen curriculum and enhance academic performance of students.

About the award
ECO Award 2008 was sponsored by the American Chamber of Commerce and Valor Economico, one of Brazil's most important daily newspapers. "By our demonstrating and recognizing the projects, companies become examples for each other and so the country moves forward with more respect for people and the environment," says Gabriel Rico, CEO of the American Chamber of Commerce.

Established 26 years ago, the ECO Award focuses on social responsibility and the sustainable management of companies. This year's competition included 144 companies from 13 states in Brazil, with projects assessed by a jury of 51 specialists.

UNESCO evaluated the Partners in Learning program results at the end of 2007 with a document analysis and focus group discussions and identified a number of successes from the program. These included positive changes in student attitudes, such as increased autonomy, self-esteem, and interest in learning, as well as increased knowledge and the development of competencies for the employment market. The committee also noted development among educational leaders and teachers in the effective use of technology.

Find out more about Partners in Learning in Brazil

Find out more about the ECO Awards