Professor Jack Beetson, an Indigenous man from Western NSW, has had his work recognised by the Cuban government.
He has been honoured with the inaugural Cuba Award at the Cuban Embassy in Canberra for his role as Executive Director of the Literacy for Life program.
The program, which uses a Cuban method called 'Yo! Si Puedo', has had more than 100 graduates in Western NSW alone.
"It's just been so successful and people wanted to try it here in an Aboriginal context to see if it would work. It's worked right around the world, in 28 other countries, with a strike rate of about 97 per cent," he said.
Professor Beetson is hoping to roll-out the program to increase literacy levels across the country.
“In our communities, it can be anywhere from 45 to 65 per cent of Aboriginal people who have low literacy levels, but in the general population it's 14 per cent. So it's not just an issue that concerns Indigenous peoples in Australia, it belongs to everyone,” he said.
Cuban Ambassador to Australia Jose Manuel Galego Montano told SBS literacy is a basic human right.
“Education is not only for reading a book, education is the basis for a good life and for this we are very happy with this, the application of this program in Australia,” he said.
The awards were held as the newly appointed Special Envoy for Trade Andrew Robb took the first ever trade delegation to Cuba.
The delegation will meet Cuban government officials and local businesses to seek commercial ties. Mining and energy, technology, agriculture, tourism and medical services are just some of the Australian industries which could benefit.
"Australia is an early mover when it comes to engaging new markets in which to do business," Mr Robb said in a statement.
-With AAP
