26 APRIL 2006 – For immediate release

Maxim Institute wins international award for education policy reports

The Parent Factor series of education reports, published by New Zealand think tank Maxim Institute, was recently announced the winner of the Innovative Projects category of the prestigious Sir Antony Fisher International Memorial Awards. Maxim Institute was a winner among 70 nominations from 30 think tanks around the world.

Alejandro Chafuen, president &CEO of the US-based Atlas Economic Research Foundation, said; “The Fisher Awards is the longest-running award program devoted to honoring think tank efforts at improving the public understanding of the free society”.

Jo Kwong, Vice President of Institute Relations for the Atlas Foundation said: “Atlas’s independent panel of judges enthusiastically agreed that the Maxim Institute was absolutely outstanding in focusing attention on an issue that affects all the people of New Zealand – freedom in education… Maxim’s nomination rose quickly to the top for its innovation, quality, and most importantly, potential ability to change the terms of debate on this key topic.”

“The Parent Factor series recommended policies that would give schools more freedom to respond to the needs of parents in their community, which is perfectly in line with the goals of the Awards”, says Maxim Institute CEO, Greg Fleming.

“Parents are central to the education debate and Maxim Institute is committed to giving them a voice. We are delighted that our work in this area has been recognised internationally as both innovative and effective”, says Greg Fleming.

The Fisher Awards were established in 1990 to recognise outstanding publications produced by independent public policy research institutes which advance the ideals and achievements of Sir Antony Fisher.

Policy Manager Nicki Taylor, who was instrumental in producing The Parent Factor reports, received the prize on behalf of Maxim Institute, at the Fisher Awards Banquet at the Atlas Foundation’s Liberty Forum in Colorado Springs on the weekend (April 21-22).

ENDS

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