The first awards ceremony of the UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy has been held on Saturday in Qufu, Confucius’ hometown in east China's Shandong province.

This is the first time an international prize has been named after a Chinese figure.

This year's prize has gone to two organizations from India and Morocco.

Our reporter Dandan attended the ceremony and brings us more details from Shandong.

Confucius, who lived over 2,000 years ago, is revered in China as a legendary philosopher, educator and politician.

He established Confucianism and did much to spread his theories, which still have influence on education in China and around the world.

The Confucius Literary Prize was approved at a UNESCO Executive Board Conference last year in Paris.

The annual prize aims to award outstanding individuals, governments and NGOs, that work to promote literacy for rural adults and out-of-school young people, particularly women and girls.

Tang Qian, a representative from UNESCO, explores the meaning of such a prize.

"First of all, it affirms Confucius' thoughts. 192 member countries of UNESCO all approved the prize. Secondly, it also positively reflects the achievements that the Chinese government and its people have made through years' of work on educating illiterate people. Moreover, the prize plays an active role in promoting education-for-all around the world."

This year, the Confucius Literacy Prize has been awarded to the Morocco Ministry of National Education, and to the Directorate of Literacy and Continuing Education of Rajastan in India.

Representatives from the two organizations say they feel honored and greatly encouraged in receiving this prize.

Anis Birron is an official with the Morocco Ministry of National Education.

"I think the prize is not only an award for individuals, governments or NGOs. But it's more of a historic meaning. While the international community is facing challenges today, it will do us good to take a look back at our splendid history. Referring to the thoughts of Confucius may awaken people who have lost their desire for peace and social harmony."

During the ceremony, a special award was given to Zhang Renping, who initiated the prize in 2001.

Starting from this year, a panel of experts will select two prizewinners each year based on their contribution to the education sector.

The prize is funded by the Shandong provincial government and the Jining municipal government. They will offer 150,000 US dollars annually for the prize.

Dan Dan, CRI news, Qufu, Shandong Province.