Last night, Cisco was honored by the World Affairs Council of Washington, D.C. for its leadership role in worldwide education. Cisco Chairman and CEO John Chambers received the "Global Education Award" in recognition of Cisco's "worldwide commitment to social responsibility, knowledge transfer, learning, and education."

Tae Yoo, Cisco's Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs, accepted the award on John's behalf. Tae leads Cisco's social investment programs in education, healthcare, critical human needs, and economic development.

Dr. Steven Knapp, President of George Washington University, presents the World Affairs Council Global Education Award to Cisco Senior Vice President Tae Yoo on behalf of Cisco Chairman & CEO John Chambers

More than 1000 guests attended the Global Education Gala award ceremony, including 60 ambassadors from the Washington diplomatic corps and White House; cabinet and Congressional members; business and civic leaders; and students, parents and educators.

"The Internet and education are two great equalizers that level the playing field for people, companies, and countries," John said after learning he won the award. "At Cisco, we use our core expertise in networking technology to improve both the delivery and quality of education by better preparing students with the skills they need to succeed in a global, technology-driven society. We're proud of this work and could have only accomplished this result through strong partnerships with governments, educational institutions and NGOs. We appreciate the World Affairs Council's recognition of our efforts."

Cisco Senior Vice President Tae Yoo tells the 1000 World Affairs Council gala attendees about Cisco Networking Academy.

In her acceptance speech, Tae described Cisco's programs to advance worldwide education, focusing especially on the Cisco Networking Academy, our flagship Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program. Networking Academy has brought technology education, 21st-century skills, and improved job prospects to 4 million students in 165 countries since its inception in 1997.

The film "World's Largest Classroom" (below) highlighting the important impact Networking Academy is having worldwide, was well received by the gala audience. Local Networking Academy teachers and students were among the attendees at the event.

The keynote speaker was the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Martin Dempsey, who is a strong supporter of education in all areas of society. "I assert that there is nothing more important in democracy than education, period...Education is a national strategic resource which illuminates our path to greatness," he said. General Dempsey emphasized the military's commitment to education within and outside of it's ranks and called for "finding new ways to get returning veterans involved in the classroom as teachers, mentors and guest lecturers."

In addition to John Chambers, the other honorees were United Arab Emirates Ambassador to the United States H.E. Yousef Al Otaiba, who was awared a "Distinguished Diplomatic Service Award"; Dr. Freeman Hrabowski III, president of the University of Maryland Baltimore County, who was named "Educator of the Year"; and Frederick Thomas, founder and CEO of MHz Networks, who was honored with a "Global Communications Award."

Tony Culley-Foster, Chairman of the Global Communications Committee of the World Affairs Council of Washington D.C., said "Tae Yoo's speech and the Cisco video were superb and warmly received by our 1000 attendees. Our Board and Global Advisory Council are delighted that Cisco is the recipient of our 2013 Global Education Award."

Patrick Finn, Senior Vice President, Cisco Public Sector (left) joins Tae Yoo and local Networking Academy instructors and students at the World Affairs Council of D.C. Global Education Gala on March 7, 2013.

Cisco is honored to be able to help advance education worldwide, using our core expertise in networking technology to improve both the delivery and quality of education-better preparing students of all ages with the skills they need to succeed in a global, technology-driven society.

Read more about how Cisco supports education atcsr.cisco.com.