On 3-5 July 2019, UNESCO Secretariat and the members of the Jury for UNESCO International Literacy Prizes gathered at HQ to choose the best five projects out of the 62 submitted, after a global call for applications.
The emphasis this year was on the theme Literacy and Multilingualism, which is also the focus of this year’s global event for International Literacy Day, 9 September.
Since 1967, UNESCO International Literacy Prizes have rewarded excellence and innovation in the field of literacy to support effective literacy practices and encourage the promotion of dynamic literate societies and bridge the literacy gap.
Pending the announcement of the five prize winners by the Director-General of UNESCO on International Literacy Day, which will be awarded at an official Prize giving ceremony on the 9 September, the International Jury shared their views on the importance of literacy and what makes a literacy project impactful.
Dr. Rana Dajani, which is one of the most influential women scientists in the Islamic World and which has a lengthy experience with refugees, explained how fundamental the role of literacy is in society for children as “they will later grow up to be lifelong learners and change makers.”
“The children learn through literacy to have the confidence and courage be the heroes they read about so that they become change makers in their own community”, said Dr. Rana Dajani.