World Forum Speaker Wins Award

03/24/2006

World Forum Speaker Wins Award

No one has a right to sit down and feel hopeless. There is too much work to do.
Dorothy Day

One of the memorable moments in any World Forum was the address by Father Michael Kelly from Zambia at the 2005 World Forum in Montreal on the impact of HIV/AIDS on the young children of Africa. [His moving presentation can be viewed at http://mail.ccie.com/go/eed/1015.] His life of dedication to fighting the HIV/AIDS crisis has won recognition for Father Kelly by the government of his home country, Ireland. In announcing this award, the Irish government declared . . .

“Father Kelly is an Irish Jesuit priest recently retired Professor of Education from the University of Lusaka who is a world renowned expert in addressing HIV/AIDS through the education sector. Professor Kelly was instrumental in the initial work of Irish Aid in Zambia in the area of HIV/AIDS prevention through the education sector.

”In recognition of the life contribution of Professor Kelly in responding to the HIV/AIDS pandemic it is proposed that the MoS will announce, for the period 2006-2008:

“1. The establishment of the Fr. Michael Kelly Lecture on HIV and AIDS to coincide with World AIDS Day. It is proposed that the inaugural lecture will be delivered by Fr. Michael Kelly on Friday 1st December 2006. In subsequent years speakers who have made an outstanding contribution to the area will be invited to deliver the lecture.
“2. The awarding of the Fr. Michael Kelly Bursary to facilitate students from Zambia to undertake post-graduate studies in the area of HIV and AIDS and Education. The scholarship will include provision for the dissemination of the research findings in Zambia and beyond . . . . ”

Exchange and the World Forum Foundation applaud Father Kelly on this well-deserved recognition. All who met him in Montreal were touched by his dedication, his passion, his humility, and his kindness.

Contributed by Exchange, The Early Childhood Leaders' Magazine Since 1978

To learn about ongoing World Forum activities including the Working Forum on Nature Education for Young Children in Nebraska, the Working Forum for Multi-Site Early Childhood Organizations in Amsterdam, and the 2007 World Forum on Early Care and Education in Malaysia, go to www.WorldForumFoundation.org.

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