Native Scientist awarded a prestigious UNESCO Prize

UNESCO has just announced the winners of the prestigious International Literacy Prizes, and Native Scientist is among them. The prizes reward excellence and innovation in literacy, supporting effective literacy practices and promoting dynamic literate societies.

UNESCO awards the prizes in conformity with its objective of achieving education for all. Native Scientists won the King Sejong Prize, which rewards the efforts of institutions, organisations or individuals for contributing to the fight against illiteracy, particularly considering mother language-based literacy development. Native was selected by the Director General of UNESCO based on the assessments and recommendations made by a jury of five independent members. Presenting the award, the Jury greatly appreciated Native programme which promotes the engagement and participation of migrant children in science education, and its contribution to a new paradigm of teaching and learning, transforming language classes into a unique and attractive learning space for migrant pupils. The awards will be presented during an international conference in Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire), on 8 and 9 September 2022, under the theme “Transforming literacy learning spaces”.

Joana Moscoso, Director of Native Scientists, says, “We are proud to receive this important recognition. It’s an acknowledgement of the hard work everyone at Native does and of the impact our work has on children and teachers across Europe. A special thanks goes to Rafael Galupa, a long-lasting volunteer collaborator at Native Scientist who pushed forward and prepared the application to the award.”

About Native Scientist

Native Scientist is an award-winning European-wide non-profit organisation that promotes cultural diversity in science, education and society. Native Scientist provides science and language workshops, science communication training, and bespoke projects for various institutions, including schools, universities and embassies. The work developed connects pupils with scientists to foster science and language literacy through role modelling and science and language integrated learning. Founded in 2013, their work reaches over 1,200 pupils a year and they count with a network of over 1,000 international scientists.

About UNESCO Literacy Prizes

UNESCO uses education, science and culture to inform, inspire and engage people everywhere to foster understanding and respect for each other and our planet. Since 1967, UNESCO International Literacy Prizes have rewarded excellence and innovation in the field of literacy. 506 projects and programmes undertaken by governments, non-governmental organisations and individuals around the world have been recognized. Through these prestigious Prizes, UNESCO seeks to support effective literacy practices and encourages the promotion of dynamic literate societies. Currently there are two UNESCO International Literacy Prizes: the UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prize and the UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy.