PARIS, November 3, 2006.- — The UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prize 2006 was formally handed over yesterday to the Latin American and Caribbean Cuban Pedagogical Institute (IPLAC in Spanish).

An international jury from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), on literacy and education for young people and adults has given the prize as recognition to the creation of the literacy teaching method Yes, I Can (YO SI PUEDO).

This Cuban method is already applied in a number of countries where the results have been exceptionally good. Its values and effectiveness were also recognized in the last session of the Executive Board of UNESCO.

The IPLAC’s rector, Cesar Torres, accepted the award and said that it was a great satisfaction for the group of teachers he represents to receive it.

Torres spoke about the characteristics of this successful method and said that it is already applied in 19 countries of Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa and Oceania. The method has been adapted to the different social, cultural and ethnic contexts of the regions where it has been implemented.

Other national and local literacy initiatives from Pakistan, China, Morocco, India and the People’s Republic of China were also awarded.

At the ceremony, chaired by the president of UNESCO General Conference, Musa Bin Hassan, were the Cuban ambassador to that organization, Hector Hernandez Pardo, and other permanent delegates. (Cubaminrex-Granma)