Aragón has been recognized with a prestigious award from the British Council for its outstanding work in bilingual education, a milestone celebrated on February 17, 2026. This award is part of the new UK-Spain British Council Awards, commemorating the 85th anniversary of the British Council in Spain.
Thirty Years of Successful Educational Cooperation
The recognition not only focuses on Aragón but also on nine other autonomous communities and the Ministry of Education. This honorary award celebrates 30 years of educational cooperation between the British Council and the Spanish Public Administration. Since the beginning of the Bilingual Educational Program in 1996, renewed in 2025, efforts have been made to strengthen cooperation in education and culture between the United Kingdom and Spain, promoting the learning of English.
The award highlights the positive impact of this cooperation, which has allowed for the implementation of collective projects and the recognition of individual paths that have contributed to strengthening educational and cultural ties between both countries.
Aragón, a Leader in Bilingual Education
Aragón has been specifically highlighted as the autonomous community with the highest number of bilingual educational centers participating in the program, totaling 54 centers: 37 in Zaragoza, 10 in Huesca, and 7 in Teruel. Ana Moracho, General Director of Educational Policy for the Government of Aragón, was responsible for receiving the award on behalf of the autonomous communities. During her speech, Moracho emphasized that «bilingual education is not just a linguistic tool, but a gateway to cultural diversity, critical thinking, and global citizenship.»
Award Ceremony and Other Honorees
The award ceremony took place at the residence of the British Ambassador in Madrid, presided over by Sir Alex Ellis, the United Kingdom’s Ambassador to Spain, and Sylvia Edvinsson, Director of the British Council in Spain. At the event, other institutions were also recognized, including the National Association of British Schools in Spain (NABSS), the Fundación Teatro La Joven, the Association of Language Schools in Andalusia (ACEIA), and the National Organization of the Spanish Blind (ONCE). Individually, Sheila Cremaschi, Paul Preston, and María González Durán received awards for their contributions.
