Queen Rania Featured on CNN List of Inspirational Leaders

(Office of Her Majesty, Press Department – Amman) CNN International’s feature program, ‘The Spirit of…Leadership’ has shortlisted Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah on a viewer poll of some of the world’s most inspiring leaders of 2008. The program is asking its viewers to vote for their most inspirational leader before December 3.

The Queen is listed among nine notable achievers including former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, Professor Stephen Hawking, Paulo Coelho, Nobel Laureate Wangari Maathai who have featured in CNN International’s ‘The Spirit Of…’ program during this year.

Noted for her philanthropic work in promoting educational opportunities for children in Jordan and throughout the world, Queen Rania earlier this year launched the Madrasati (“My School”) initiative to overhaul at least 500 of the country’s most dilapidated public schools.

Halfway through with the first phase of Madrasati, the initiative has achieved major successes so far. In an interview with CNN International’s Becky Anderson that aired earlier this year, the Queen highlighted Madrasati’s unique model, which works by forming partnerships with local communities, private and public sector institutions and different civil society entities. Madrasati adopts a comprehensive approach, tackling all elements that secure an appropriate teaching environment including maintenance, teaching program and aids.

Thousands of children from across the Kingdom welcomed the first day of school with jubilation this year, as they entered their renovated schools and classrooms. The visible changes have already had a positive impact on their attitude in schools, as many teachers have noted.

Less than one year after the Queen kicked off the project, it has already created a more conducive learning environment for Jordanian children. With a large majority of the country’s population under the age of 18, Queen Rania often speaks passionately about the importance of access to quality education and has committed to working towards improving scholastic opportunities.

Visitors to www.cnn.com/spirit can research additional details and cast their vote before the December 3 deadline.

The results will be announced on CNN International’s program ‘The Spirit of…Leadership’ which will be broadcast on Thursday December 11, Saturday December 13 and Sunday December 14.