Awards and recognitions
The President of the Italian Republic has conferred on Francesco Tonucci the honor of Commander of the Italian Republic.
An acknowledgment of Francesco’s immense career, his dedication to the study and advocacy of childhood, his contributions to the advancement of education and politics, his talent for giving childhood a voice through his art as a cartoonist, and the his unceasing contribution to the development of our society.
In 2020 Francesco was named as an Ashoka Fellow, a prestigious award that brings together the world’s leading social entrepreneurs who support innovative ideas that transform society, providing benefits to all and improving the lives of millions.
In 2019 Francesco received the UNICEF Spain Joaquín Ruiz-Giménez Award.
The award, as can be read in the citation, was given for the following reasons:
- For his dedication for more than half a century to the study of children's thinking and behavior in family, school and city settings, always "through the eyes of a child"
- For his research work on children's participation in local governments and for launching La ciudad de los niños, present in more than 200 locations worldwide.
2018
Doctor honoris causa of the Catholic University of Cordoba (Argentina)
2018
Piccolo Plauto Lifetime Achievement Award Childhood Magazine – University of Bologna
2017
Honorary doctorate from the University of Oviedo
2017
Pajarita Award of toy makers of Spain
“….Per his defense of the importance of the game in all its fields . .”
2017
Italian Andersen Lifetime Achievement Award
2016
Lifetime Achievement Award from the journal Psychology and School (Florence)
2016
Doctor honoris causa of the University of Lleida
2018
Marta Mata Award from the “Rosa Sensat” Association of Barcelona
2017
Honorary doctorate of the National University of Santa Fe upon the proposal of the Faculty of Humanities
2018
Honorary doctorate from the National University of La Plata at the proposal of the Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning
2011
Gold Medal of Educational Merit of the Junta Di Andalucía (Spain)
“…for his commitment to education and childhood, through his research in educational methodology and the International Research Project “The City of Children”
2003
Honorary Professor of the Faculty of Education at the Pontifical Catholic University of Lima (Peru).