INTERNATIONAL LITERACY DAY

Today one in five adults is still not literate and about two-thirds of them are women while 67.4 million children are out of school. Since its foundation in 1946, UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) has been at the forefront of global literacy efforts and is dedicated to keeping literacy high on national, regional and international agendas. However, with some 793 million adults lacking minimum literacy skills, literacy for all remains an elusive target. It is our role to remind authorities at international and national levels to strengthen local capacity and support community initiatives. International Literacy Day is an occasion to celebrate the importance literacy has on individuals, communities and societies worldwide. It also provides the opportunity to encourage those whose illiteracy currently excludes them from full participation in society.

Points to ponder:

• How can we build a democratic nation if so many remain without one of life's most basic skills?

• How can mutual understanding and dialogue between different cultures prosper when the illiteracy levels are so high?

• How can poverty be eradicated when the roots of ignorance are left undisturbed?