Literacy programs promoting peace and social cohesion in Burundi, Mexico, the United States of America, and the Democratic Republic of Congo are the winners of the 2011 UNESCO International Literacy prizes. Honorable mentions go to programs in Pakistan and the Philippines. The theme of the 2011 UNESCO International Literacy Prizes 2011 is literacy and peace, with special consideration to gender equality. Burundi: The National Literacy Service of Burundi won one of two King Sejong Literacy Prizes for its approach that links functional literacy to daily life issues and to topics related to peace and tolerance. Mexico: The National Institute for the Education of Adults of Mexico won the other award for its Bilingual Literacy for Life program, which has helped reduce illiteracy rates among indigenous populations, especially women, and for improving indigenous people’s ability to exercise their rights. United States: The US-based Room to Read shared the Confucius Prize for Literacy for a program on promoting gender equality and literacy through local language publishing. Operating in nine countries – Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Laos, Nepal, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Viet Nam and Zambia – the program has assisted communities in developing culturally relevant reading materials in local and minority languages. Democratic Republic of Congo: Collectif Alpha Ujuvi in the DRC also won for its program called Peaceful Coexistence of Communities and Good Governance in North Kivu, which attempts to resolve tensions and conflicts among individuals and communities through developing literacy. Pakistan & Philippines: The agency said honorable mentions were also awarded to: Allah Bakhsh Malik, Secretary, Government of the Punjab, Pakistan, for leadership in the implementation of the Adult Education and Vocational Skills program; and the City Literacy Coordinating Council, Tagum City, the Philippines, for its Peace Management Literacy and Continuing Education through its “Night Market” program, which uses peace education activities, literacy teaching and business entrepreneurship to generate jobs for marginalized populations. The UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prize is supported by the Republic of Korea and the UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy is supported by China. Both prizes consist of two awards. Every year, the prizes recognize excellence and innovation in literacy throughout the world. The selection is made on the recommendation of an international jury. The prizes will be awarded at an official ceremony on 8 September 2011 during International Literacy Day celebrations in New Delhi, India. Each prize is worth US $20,000, a medal and a diploma. RELATED FILM REPORT – “ Women of Science – UNESCO/Loreal Awards” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/movie/women-of-science-unescoloreal-awards/25375 By Ambassador Muhamed Sacirbey Facebook – Become a Fan at “Diplomatically Incorrect”

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