- World
- Sep 10
UNESCO International Literacy Prizes reward six initiatives
• Six outstanding literacy programmes from Colombia, Lebanon, Mexico, Netherlands, Nigeria and Thailand have been awarded the UNESCO International Literacy Prizes for their exceptional contributions to advancing literacy across the globe.
• These awards were presented during the International Literacy Day global celebration, organised by UNESCO in collaboration with the government of Mexico on September 8 and 9 in the State of Chiapas, Mexico.
• This year’s theme ‘Literacy for people, the planet and prosperity’, calls for rethinking literacy for today and tomorrow, while exploring how lifelong learning systems, policies and practices can better respond to current and future needs.
UNESCO’s International Literacy Prizes
• Since 1967, UNESCO's International Literacy Prizes have rewarded more than 600 individuals, organisations and institutions for the excellence, innovation and impact of their field initiatives to advance literacy worldwide.
Currently there are two UNESCO International Literacy Prizes:
i) The UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prize (3 awards): Established in 1989, with the support of the government of South Korea, it gives special consideration to mother language-based literacy development. Each prize winner receives a medal, a diploma and $30,000.
ii) The UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy (3 awards): Established in 2005, with the support of the government of China, it gives special consideration to functional literacy, leveraging technological environments, in support of adults in rural areas and out-of-school youth. Each prize winner receives a medal, a diploma and $30,000.
• The Prizes are awarded based on the recommendations of an International jury appointed by the Director-General for a maximum of six years.
The 2026 laureates of UNESCO International Literacy Prizes are:
UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prize
1) The ‘Escuelas LEO’ Programme by the ‘BibloRed’ (Colombia).
2) The ‘Language Friendly School’ programme by the Rutu Foundation for Intercultural Multilingual Education (Netherlands).
3) ‘Project PAL’ (Primary Accelerated Literacy) by the WAER Waters Charity Foundation (Nigeria).
UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy
1) ‘Accelerated Education for Out-of-school Displaced Youth in Lebanon’ programme by the Alsama Project (Lebanon).
2) ‘Chiapas Puede’ state literacy programme by the government of the State of Chiapas (Mexico).
3) ‘Language for Life: Multilingual Literacy for Disaster Communication and Community Resilience in Hat Yai Learning City’ programme by Hat Yai City Municipality (Thailand).
60 years of International Literacy Day
• The year 2026 marks the 60th anniversary of International Literacy Day (September 8).
• It was proclaimed by UNESCO in 1966 during the 14th session of the General Conference.
• Over the past six decades, countries and partners worldwide have advanced literacy as a fundamental human right and a powerful driver of peace and sustainable development.
• Despite significant progress, literacy challenges remain uneven.
• About 739 million youth and adults worldwide still lack basic literacy skills, 63 per cent of whom are women.
• More than 77 per cent of non-literate youth and adults live in sub-Saharan Africa (225 million) and Southern Asia (347 million).
• Challenges also persist for children and young people.
• Four in ten students globally do not achieve minimum reading proficiency by the end of primary education, while 273 million children and youth are out of school, underscoring the urgent need to strengthen foundational learning and expand access to education.
• UNESCO works with governments and partners to strengthen literacy strategies, improve data and monitoring systems, and build the capacities of educators and institutions to deliver quality literacy and digital learning.
• In 2024 and 2025, UNESCO’s work on literacy and adult learning and education reached more than 460,000 learners and beneficiaries and supported 43 countries, including 22 countries that strengthened their literacy and adult learning and education policies and frameworks.
• In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, UNESCO also supports countries in bridging digital divides by promoting media and information literacy, critical digital skills, and equitable access to technology, helping ensure that no one is left behind in the digital transition.