(ANSA) - BARI, 18 OCT - The 20-year-old from Puglia Mirko Cazzato, creator of the 'Mabasta' anti-bullying project in 2016, is one of the 10 students in the world to have passed the double international selections (3,500 candidates from 94 countries) qualifying in the 'Top 10' of the first edition of the 'Global Student Prize', dedicated to the "most impactful" students. The other nine finalists come from Canada, Kenya, Nigeria, India, USA, UK, Brazil, Sierra Leone. The award is the twin of the 'Global TeacherPrize', which since 2015 awards the best teachers in the world. While the final prize for teachers is $ 1 million, the "most impactful student in the world" is given a prize of $ 100,000.
Mirko Cazzato has just turned 20, he graduated in 2020 from the 'Galilei-Costa' institute in Lecce. In 2016, when he was 14, he attended the first year of high school and, together with the other pupils in his class, he started the social startup 'Mabasta', which has the mission described in its acronym: Anti-bullying movement animated by teenage students. After graduation he decided to commit, study and work full time for 'Mabasta'. Starting from June 2020 he made the startup grow, making it known throughout Italy. About a year ago he set up the '1000 a 0- Sport Vince Bulismo Perde' project, involving the world of Italian sport and obtaining the collaboration and patronage of 34 national sports federations, of Sport and Health (Coni),of the Italian Paralympic Committee, of 4 national leagues and dozens and dozens of teams and teams throughout Italy. To refine his knowledge and skills, he is attending a course dedicated to social entrepreneurship at the WeDo Academy in "learning by doing" mode, with the guidance of expert coaches.
For Sunny Varkey, founder of the Varkey Foundation, Mirko's story "clearly highlights the importance of education in addressing the great challenges that lie ahead, from climate change to growing global inequality and pandemics."
For Lila Thomas, head of 'Chegg.org'.
"Mirko and the other finalists represent the brave and hardworking students from around the world who are fighting for their future."
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