#Hong Kong #Yidan Prize #education innovation #Global Change

2026 Yidan Prize: Champions of Change in Education

The illustrious Yidan Prize Foundation, known for its commitment to advancing education globally, recently announced its 2026 laureates during a press conference held in Hong Kong. This year marks the tenth anniversary of the prize, reinforcing its role as a beacon of hope for innovators pushing the boundaries of education.

Celebrating the Laureates

Bringing enlightening contributions to education, the laureates have gained international acclaim for their innovative work that affects various spheres, including health and nutrition. Professor Paul W. Glewwe, recognized as the 2026 Yidan Prize for Education Research laureate, has dedicated his career to exploring how socioeconomic, health, and nutrition factors significantly impact learning outcomes. Through thorough research, he has helped reshape educational policies and outcomes for children in disadvantaged settings, ensuring that education is accessible and effective.

Supplementing this impactful work, Professor Susan P. Walker, Professor Sally Grantham-McGregor, and Dr. Susan M. Chang-Lopez were awarded the Yidan Prize for Education Development for their pioneering early childhood intervention program, Reach Up. This program empowers parents and caregivers with evidence-based techniques that enrich children’s development during the critical first few years of life. Their collaborative approaches ensure that children's cognitive development progresses even in low-resource and indigenous communities.

Financial Support for Transformative Work

Both laureate teams will receive a prize of HK$30 million (approximately US$3.8 million), which includes a cash award and an unrestricted project fund. This funding aims to empower the winners, enabling them to expand their research and continue their impactful work in their respective fields. Since its inception in 2017, the Yidan Prize Foundation has distributed around HK$600 million (approximately US$77 million) to support numerous laureates across nearly 60 countries, underpinning a global movement focused on education reform.

Dr. Charles CHEN Yidan, the founder of the Yidan Prize, expressed gratitude towards the laureates for their relentless dedication to reshaping education. “Their collective efforts illuminate pathways forward in global education, reinforcing our commitment to innovation and transformative ideas,” he remarked.

Innovative Approaches to Education

Professor Glewwe’s work has been pivotal in reshaping how education intersects with other critical aspects of life, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach. For instance, his research reveals the significant roles literacy and numeracy play not just in academic performance but also in broader socio-economic contexts. By including social-emotional skills in education policy discussions, Glewwe has underscored the importance of morale and psychological well-being in children’s learning environments.

On the other hand, the Reach Up program spearheaded by Walker, Grantham-McGregor, and Chang-Lopez is transforming early childhood education paradigms. By creating low-cost, feasible activities that caregivers can engage in from birth through age four, they are laying the groundwork for children to thrive cognitively and socially. This program's adaptability and application across diverse countries further mark its significance in addressing global early childhood education challenges.

Looking to the Future

Both laureates will gather at the 2026 Yidan Prize Summit from December 3 to 5 in Hong Kong, where extensive dialogues focusing on the evolving landscape of education will take place. This year's theme centers on the growing recognition of education as a comprehensive ecosystem fostering all aspects of human connection and creativity, particularly in the context of advancements in AI technology.

As the community of change-makers continues to grow, the Yidan Prize Foundation remains committed to spotlighting innovations in education that transcend traditional boundaries, fostering developments that ensure better educational opportunities for every child globally. With the nomination period for the 2027 Yidan Prize opening on October 27, 2026, there’s tremendous anticipation for the next wave of educational trailblazers.