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HELSINKI (AP) — The South African alternative education project PRAESA has been awarded this year's Astrid Lindgren Prize for children's literature for innovative ways of encouraging reading and literature among children and youth.
Announcing the award on Tuesday, the prize jury cites the organization for opening "new routes into the world of books and literature for young readers" with the joy of reading as a compass point.
The Project for the Study of Alternative Education in South Africa was established in 1992 as an independent research unit affiliated with the University of Cape Town. It was born from the struggle against apartheid education and has focused on language-in-education policies.
The annual award, worth 5 million Swedish kronor ($580,000), is named after Swedish writer Astrid Lindgren, creator of the Pippi Longstocking book series.
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