Jordan Times
Sunday, June 5, 2005
Queen receives Sesame, Golden Plate awards
AMMAN (JT) — Her Majesty Queen Rania received the 2005 Sesame Workshop Award and
the Academy of Achievement Golden Plate Award this week in recognition of her
humanitarian work.
Ganz Cooney, founder of Sesame Workshop, presented the Queen with the award at
their 35th anniversary benefit in New York.
“It is amazing to think that a television programme touched three generations of
children without losing its charm or relevance,” said the Queen upon receiving
the award.
The Sesame Workshop was founded in 1968 as a Children's Television Workshop by a
group of visionary educators, researchers, psychologists, child development
experts, artists, writers and musicians, who pioneered the concept of
entertaining television that could enhance the lives of millions of
educationally disadvantaged youngsters, according to the organisation's website.
Queen Rania described it as “a thoroughfare for basic literacy, maths and life
skills, and a path along which children regardless of colour, religion or
ethnicity, can walk together and learn about each other's backgrounds and
cultures.”
During her speech, the Queen outlined the strides Jordan had made in education.
“We're proud to have been recognised by UNICEF recently for our primary school
attendance of 97.2 per cent — the highest rate in the Arab world, and one that
includes as many girls as boys.”
She added that the Kingdom is working to ensure that “girls stay in school as
long as boys to earn high school and college degrees... because that's the best
way to ensure that, in the future, every door will open wide... for all our
people.”
“Through the doors that Sesame Street has opened wide around the world, children
see a future full of colour, music, opportunity and hope — and no matter what
they look like or where they come from, they're always assured of a warm welcome
and encouraged to come inside,” she said.
Her Majesty is the third recipient of the prize. Previous winners include UN
Secretary General Kofi Anan and his wife Nane Anan.
In addition to the Sesame award, Queen Rania also received the Academy of
Achievement Golden Plate Award at the 44th Annual International Achievement
Summit, also held in New York from June 1-3.
Established in 1961, the Golden Plate Award is presented annually to
approximately 25 guests of honour, who are distinguished personalities “of
exceptional accomplishment in the sciences, professions, business, industry,
arts, literature, sports, entertainment, and public service” arenas.
In 2004, His Majesty King Abdullah received the award. Several other world
leaders have received the award, including former US presidents, Bill Clinton
and Jimmy Carter, as well as Afghan President Hamid Karzai.