VIDEO MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS
ON THE OCCASION OF THE AWARDING OF THE GLOBAL TEACHER 2016 PRIZE IN HANAN AL HROUB
DURING THE GLOBAL EDUCATION AND SKILLS FORUM

Sunday, 13 March 2016

I would like to convey a special greeting to all of you teachers attending the Global Education and Skills Forum, and also to thank the Prime Minister of the Arab Emirates, Aheik Mohammed bin Rashid, for inviting Scholas to implement its educational programme in favour of integration and peace in the world.

I would also like to congratulate the teacher, Hanan Al Hroub, winner of this prestigious award, for the importance she has given to play in the education of the child. A child has the right to play, and part of educating is teaching children how to play, because through play one learns to be social, one learns the joy of life. A people uneducated due to war or for all the reasons that prevent it from receiving an education, is a people that erodes, erodes, erodes, and can even erode down to the instinctive level. Therefore I would like to emphasize your noble task.

I congratulate the Varkey Foundation for encouraging the valuable contributions that teachers throughout the world make every day in order to create a sustainable global society and to collaborate together with Scholas for the educational change that our children and young people need. Together they can give back to educators the place they have earned and give invaluable recognition for the great impact they have on our lives, and thus restore to their profession — society’s most respected — the position it deserves [as] artisans of humanity and builders of peace and encounter.

I have asked the Directors of Scholas to personally convey my greetings to you and my encouragement for all you do as teachers. May governments become aware of the great importance of your task. Go forward, and please do not forget to pray for me.