Each year, the UNESCO International Literacy Prizes address a specific theme. In 2020, they focused on literacy and its teaching, and five individuals and organizations, out of a total of 676 nominations from five world regions, were rewarded for their efforts in this area.

The University Center for Social Participation (CUPS) (Centro Universitario de Participación Social) of the Universidad Benemérita de Puebla (BUAP), in Mexico, is among the winners, for its literacy program “Learning teaching”, which objective is to contribute to the reduction of the illiteracy rate in the state of Puebla. Through teaching and learning literacy, the program also contributes to the development of a critical awareness that enables both learners and educators to see themselves as actors in the transformation and empowerment of their own lives.

About the award, Audrey Azoulay UNESCO Director-General, said “By enhancing the quality of teaching and learning, by supporting professionalization of educators, and by integrating youth and adult literacy in national COVID-19 response and recovery plans, we can better harness the transformative power of literacy and uphold the right to education and human dignity”.

In addition to Mexico, the other initiatives awarded this year come from Ghana, Nepal, the United Kingdom and Yemen.

Access the full publication 2020 winners of the UNESCO International Literacy Prizes, Teaching and learning literacy: the role of educators and changing pedagogies.