Jan Sikshan Sansthan (JSS), an NGO based in Kerala’s Malappuram, will be conferred the UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy for its literacy-linked skill development activities at a ceremony in Paris. The NGO organises several activities in the field of lifelong education and skill development programme in rural areas. The JSS has bagged the award for its activities in the field of lifelong education and skill development programme in rural areas — aiming to help underprivileged individuals achieve better livelihood.

JSS Malappuram chairman and Rajya Sabha member PV Abdul Wahab and the unit’s director V Ummerkoya will receive the award at the ceremony that will also mark 50th anniversary celebrations of UNESCO’s literacy programmes.

Did You Know?

• The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)^[is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN).
• UNESCO has 195 member states and nine associate members. Most of its field offices are “cluster” offices covering three or more countries; national and regional offices also exist.
• UNESCO pursues its objectives through five major programs: education, natural sciences, social/human sciences, culture and communication/information.
• UNESCO’s aim is “to contribute to the building of peace, the eradication of poverty, sustainable development and intercultural dialogue through education, the sciences, culture, communication and information”.