Ashoka Senior Fellow Sakena Yacoobi to be Honored with German Media Prize

Ashoka Senior Fellow Dr. Sakena Yacoobi has been working to provide Afghans with basic human rights in the area of health care in a country torn apart by war for the better part of two decades. Since she founded The Afghan Institute of Learning (AIL) in 1996, the organization has touched the lives of more than 9 million Afghans, improving the well-being of women and children through education, health, and training and teacher programs.

In late February, the German Media Prize 2011—an annual event in Baden-Baden, Germany that honors the world’s most outstanding personalities for their contributions to a global society—will recognize Yacoobi’s empathetic leadership. For the 20th anniversary of the prize, the focus is on “quiet peacemakers,” those social innovators who act outside of the mainstream media spot light.

“The prevention of war and terror is the dedicated life of Dr. Sakena Yacoobi. Her tools are education and knowledge. Founded by Dr. Yacoobi, The Afghan Institute of Learning works with thousands of war-torn people, especially disadvantaged girls and women, who are given a new perspective on life. In the midst of terror and war, Dr. Yacoobi has established numerous places in Afghanistan where people are provided with a formal education and support where they can get help against oppression and hatred. The tireless efforts of Dr. Yacoobi, to many people, have become a ray of light on the horizon of a future Afghanistan.” —German Media Prize announcement

Joining Yacoobi as German Media Prize 2011 honorees are Stanislaw Petrow, Dr. Denis Mukwege, and Dr. Mitri Raheb. Previous winners include Nelson Mandela, Kofi Annan, and the Dalai Lama.

More details as they become available!