UNESCO International Literacy Prizes Winners 2015
The theme of the 2015 UNESCO International Literacy prizes is Literacy and Sustainable Societies. There are two UNESCO International Literacy Prizes awarded every year in recognition of excellence and innovation in literacy throughout the world, the UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prize (2 awards) and the UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy (3 awards).
UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prize – Mozambique
Associação Progresso for its ‘Literacy in Local Language, a Springboard for Gender Equality’ programme, which uses literacy to promote changes in traditional practices that are harmful to women and girls. As well as paying special attention to teaching adults to read and write in a local language, it contributes to increasing the participation of women in local governing bodies, consultative councils and community based institutions in the districts covered by the programme.
UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prize - Sri Lanka
The National Institute of Education of Sri Lanka for its ‘Open School Programme’, which provides an education to isolated communities and groups such as indigenous populations, prisoners and street children. As well providing an alternative educational programme for those deprived of a formal education, the institute designs and develops curricula for general and teacher education and builds the professional competencies of the education community through research and innovation.
UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy - Madagascar
The Platform of Associations in charge of ASAMA and Post-ASAMA (PACA) in Madagascar for its programme ‘Action for Inclusive Education in Madagascar’, which has reached over 13,000 people since it was established in 2009. Based on an integral and multidisciplinary approach that considers social and economic development as interdependent, and the slogan “Studying to fight against poverty”, it provides literacy skills, intensive primary education, technical and vocational training, professional guidance and support, and citizenship and sustainable development education.
UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy - Chile
The Juan Luis Vives School of Valparaiso in Chile for its ‘Literacy for People Deprived of Liberty’ programme, which has reached over 2,000 male and female prisoners since it was established in 1999. The school helps them to complete their studies and contributes to their integration into society and the labour market by providing literacy and technical and vocational education, and creating spaces for reflection and introspection. Watch the video
UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy - Slovakia
The Association Svatobor in Slovakia for its ‘Romano Barardo’ programme, which has worked with marginalised Roma communities since 2006. It focuses on the development of their educational and eco-gardening skills, contributing to their inclusion in society and providing them with a stable source of food. The association also works as a mediator in a society where prejudices against Roma communities have a detrimental effect on their social and economic development.
