English

The late Sir Fazle Hasan Abed (April 1936 – December 2019) championed education — particularly play-based learning — as a force for change. He founded BRAC in 1972 — and today, the organization has reached over 14 million children across Asia and Africa.

BRAC started as a relief and rehabilitation agency after the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971. While other organizations focused on immediate needs of reconstruction — infrastructure, jobs, food — BRAC expanded its efforts and took a holistic approach to poverty eradication and sustainable development at scale, one that put communities at the very center.

They focused on non-formal education, explored early childhood development, and rolled out mentorship programs and nationwide teacher training. Sir Fazle firmly believed that schools should employ an approach of joyful learning, one that discourages rote learning and has a strong focus on extracurricular activities, so that children want to come to school. At BRAC, learning is value-driven, and students grow up to be active citizens in their communities.

BRAC partnered with academic researchers, and generated evidence for what worked well. For example, a two-year study of BRAC’s Play Lab initiative in Bangladesh conducted by researchers at the University of Cambridge and Columbia University in 2018–2019 reveals the positive impact of BRAC’s play-based intervention on children’s development, making sure that all children enter primary school with the skills they need to learn and thrive.

Sir Fazle is represented by Shameran Abed, Executive Director of BRAC International, and Dr Erum Mariam, Executive Director of BRAC Institute of Educational Development, on our Council of Laureates.