Cuban Institute Wins UNESCO Prize
Cuban Caribbean and Latin American Pedagogic Institute (IPLAC) was awarded the 2006 UNESCO International Literacy "King Sejong," price in a formal ceremony on Friday.

An international jury from the UN Educational and Scientific Cultural Organization granted the award in recognition of the "Yo si puedo" literacy method.

This Cuban learning technique has been put in practice in several countries, with exceptionally positive results. Its values and effectiveness were also recognized at the last UNESCO Executive Council hearing.

IPLAC rector Cesar Torres, when receiving the certificate from Peter Smith, UNESCO Education general under director, said the award was an immense satisfaction for him and the professional staff he represents.

Torres referred to the method s characteristics and reported it is already being used in 19 Latin American countries, in the Caribbean, Africa and Oceania, as it is suitable for different regions social, cultural and ethnic contexts.

National and local initiatives were also awarded, destined to take the literacy campaign to Pakistan, Turkey, Morocco, India and China.

In today s award ceremony, chaired by UNESCO General Conference President Musa Bin Hasan, Cuban Ambassador to UNESCO Hector Hernandez Pardo, and other permanent delegates also participated.