Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 04 February 2019: The winner of Global Teacher Prize 2016, Hanan Al Hroub met H.H. Pope Francis upon his visit to the UAE yesterday. Back in 2016, Pope Francis had announced Hanan Al Hroub as the final winner of the Global Teacher Prize 2016 from over 8,000 teacher applications and nominations from 148 countries via a special video message broadcast into the Global Teacher Prize ceremony.

Al Hroub was presented the Prize by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, and Sunny Varkey, Founder of the Varkey Foundation.

On her meeting with His Holiness Pope Francis, Hanan Al Hroub, winner of the Global Teacher Prize 2016, said:

Ill never forget the magical moment in 2016 when, at a ceremony in Dubai, His Holiness Pope Francis announced my name as the winner of the Global Teacher Prize. As I stood on stage in front of the world, time briefly stood still. I discovered later that this moment captured the imagination of millions and communicated a powerful message of peace, love and inclusivity right around the world.

I was so humbled when he highlighted my work allowing children to learn through play. He said that a child has the right to play. Part of education is to teach children how to play because they learn both how to be social and how to experience joy.

A month later, I had the enormous privilege of meeting His Holiness in person at the Vatican, where he blessed me. We discussed how accepting different cultures and exercising our individual responsibilities to the rest of humanity are vital for a harmonious and peaceful world. Young people need to be instilled with these values throughout their education.

As an advocate of global peace and dialogue, His Holinesss visit to the UAE will dovetail with the UAE Governments continued efforts to nurture tolerance through its National Tolerance Program and Charter.