Mexico is awarded the 2011 Literacy Award by UNESCO for its Bilingual Literacy for Life Program

Mexico is awarded the 2011 Literacy Award by UNESCO for its Bilingual Literacy for Life Program

UNESCO, an organization geared towards developing and promoting initiatives that support intercultural dialogue and equality, recently honored Mexico among the winners of its prestigious 2011 Literacy Awards. The themes of this year’s International Literacy Prizes are literacy and peace, with special emphasis on “gender equality.” Among the exceptional literacy laureates is Mexico’s National Institute for Education of Adults, winning an award for its Bilingual Literacy for Life program.

The Bilingual Literacy for Life program won the distinguished UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prize and is particularly being recognized for its concerted efforts in increasing literacy among indigenous people in Mexico. This program’s efforts have allowed for indigenous people in Mexico to better understand and exercise their rights. The Bilingual Literacy for Life program has also allowed for growing social conditions in Mexico between multicultural and multilingual communities.

In addition to Mexico, other literacy awardees include programs in Burundi, the United States, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Philippines, and Pakistan. These prizes will be awarded on September 8th in New Delhi, India during International Literacy Day festivities. Each awardee will receive $20,000, a medal, and a diploma.