Mónica Milagros Lanchipa Bergamini

Mónica Milagros Lanchipa Bergamini is a distinguished Peruvian educator whose career spans over 40 years, dedicated to transforming education and empowering young girls through innovative teaching, environmental stewardship, and global citizenship. She teaches fifth and sixth grade students at Santísima Niña María School in Tacna, Peru, an all-girls state school serving over 1,000 students, many from low- to middle-income families. Drawing inspiration from her own parents, both teachers, Mónica has devoted her life to education with a focus on creativity, inclusion, and sustainable development. 

Mónica is internationally recognized for her flagship “Cardboard Book” project, launched in 2009. This groundbreaking initiative uses recycled cardboard to engage students in reading, writing, and environmental awareness. Over the past decade, more than 500 students have created their own cardboard books, developing self-confidence, creativity, and collaboration skills. The project has expanded nationally and internationally, replicated in schools across Peru and Latin America, and has inspired similar initiatives in Europe. The Cardboard Book project also fosters eco-literacy and civic responsibility, teaching students to address local and global challenges, from pollution to climate change. 

Her teaching approach integrates project-based learning, problem-solving, ICT, and global collaboration. Students participate in initiatives such as the Climate Action Project, Global Water Dances, SDG School, and “Seeds of Enchantment,” connecting with peers worldwide to develop solutions to real-world issues. This experiential learning cultivates critical thinking, leadership, and a sense of global citizenship. 

Mónica’s innovative pedagogy has earned her national and international recognition. She has received the Palmas Magisteriales, Peru’s highest award for teaching excellence, and multiple accolades from the Ministry of Education, FONDEP, Telefónica Foundation, SM Foundation, and the Organization of Ibero-American States. She has been a finalist in the BCP Excellence Teacher Competition, recognized as a Distinguished Woman of Tacna, and received numerous awards for educational projects promoting girls’ rights, environmental awareness, and human rights education. She has shared her expertise at national and international forums, including Virtual Educa, UNESCO initiatives, and conferences across Latin America and Europe. 

Beyond the classroom, Mónica actively engages with communities, leading workshops on cardboard recycling, organizing eco-reading campaigns, and mentoring teachers to replicate her methodologies. She is committed to expanding her projects to rural and underserved areas and envisions creating a modern, eco-friendly library and interactive learning spaces to foster creativity, literacy, and environmental awareness for future generations. 

Through her lifelong dedication, Mónica Milagros Lanchipa Bergamini has not only transformed the lives of thousands of students but also redefined the possibilities of education in Peru and beyond, demonstrating that innovation, empathy, and sustainable practices can empower young learners to become agents of change.