UNESCO and the Confucius Literacy Prizewinners take part in the 2023 International Confucius Cultural Festival in China

The event, organized by the Chinese National Commission for UNESCO and the Jining People's Government, featured the presence of Mr Zhou Naixiang, Vice Secretary of Shandong Province's Provincial Party Committee and Governor. In his address, Mr Naixiang emphasized the relevance of Confucian principles in contemporary culture and the importance of promoting equal access to education, aligning with UNESCO's purpose.

Mr Kong Chuichang, President of the Chinese Association of Confucius and the Confucius Foundation sent a message highlighting the need to overcome societal barriers, promote dialogue among civilizations, and spread the teachings of Confucius to address global issues.

Mr Wang Libing, the Acting Director of the Bangkok Office of UNESCO praised the UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy, supported generously by the Chinese government and reaffirmed the importance of literacy: “Literacy is not only about reading and writing, but also about empowerment. It empowers individuals to think critically, make informed decisions and actively participate in their communities and societies. It is the foundation upon which peaceful and sustainable societies are built.” He reinforced that literacy is a fundamental right and a bridge connecting generations, cultures, and ideas. Literacy, coupled with innovative technology, can reach remote areas and adapt to diverse learners, leading us toward a peaceful and sustainable society. 

The ceremony included a captivating video presentation that offered a thorough overview of the Laureates' activities. Following the video, the laureates were magnificently awarded.

• Ms Runa Khan, Founder and Executive Director of Friendship (Bangladesh), recognized for the "Empowering Remote and Climate-Vulnerable Communities with Digital Literacy" programme.
• Mr John Valerio Hernandez, teacher at the Yew Chung International School of Qingdao, Shandong Province, represented the Dominican Republic Education and Mentoring (DREAM) Project (Dominican Republic), awarded for their "My Very Own Library" programme.
• Ms Dorothy Nakato, a member of the Uganda National Self-Advocacy Initiative (UNSAI), representing the organization for their "Peaceful Communities" programme.

On 8 September 2023 UNESCO celebrated International Literacy Day with an international conference centered around the theme ‘Promoting literacy for a world in transition: Building the foundation for sustainable and peaceful societies’. The event also included this year’s UNESCO Literacy Prizes award ceremony.

On behalf of UNESCO Director-General, Ms Stefania Giannini, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education  rewarded six innovative and impactful literacy programmes from Bangladesh, Dominican Republic, Finland, Pakistan, South Africa and Uganda with the two UNESCO International Literacy Prizes: the UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prizes and the UNESCO Confucius Prizes for Literacy.

The UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy was established in 2005 with the support of the Government of the People’s Republic of China. It is awarded to innovative literacy programmes with special consideration to functional literacy, leveraging technological environments, in support of adults in rural areas and out-of-school youth.