Five organizations from Chile, Madagascar, Mozambique, Slovakia and Sri Lanka were named laureates for this year's International Literacy Prizes of UNESCO for their efforts to encourage youth learning and improve education for all, the Paris-based organization announced Wednesday.

"Women and men all over the world need literacy to take charge of their lives," said Irina Bokova, UNESCO Director-General.

"Likewise, literacy is indispensable to raise awareness and gather necessary grass roots participation in our efforts to improve the way we care for our planet and manage its resources," continued Bokova in a statement, adding that "this transformation can only happen if society's most vulnerable youth and adults acquire basic literacy skills that equip them with the knowledge and confidence to improve their own lives and build more resilient communities".

The two nominated for UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prizes are Associacao Progresso and Sri Lanka's National Institute of Education. The first is a Mozambican nongovernmental organization recognized for its effective "Literacy in Local Languages, Springboard for Gender Equality" programme in Mozambican languages, according to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

The second was honored for its "Open School Programme" which addresses the learning needs of disadvantaged groups and offers an alternative route for out-of-school youth and adults to resume academic or technical and vocational training, it added.

From Chile, Juan Luis Vives School of Valparaiso school, Madagascar's Platform of Associations in Charge of ASAMA and Post-ASAMA and Slovak association Svatobor won UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy for 2015.

Each laureate will receive 20,000 U.S. dollars, a diploma and a medal during a ceremony scheduled for Sept. 8 on International Literacy at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. Endit

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