International Literacy Day 2013 |
Posted: September 9, 2013 |
International Literacy Day 2013 Literacy- a right and foundation for lifelong learning, better well being and livelihoods. Observed annually on Sept 8, focuses attention on worldwide literacy needs. Literacy is a human right, a tool of personal empowerment and a means for social and human development. “ Literacy is much more than an educational priority - it is the ultimate investment in the future and the first step towards all the new forms of literacy required in the twenty-first century. We wish to see a century where every child is able to read and use this skill to gain autonomy.” ~ Irma Bokova, UNESCO Director General UNESCO- the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization A specialized Agency of the United Nations system ( headquarters- Paris, France). For over 40 years now, UNESCO has been celebrating International Literacy Day by reminding the international community that literacy is a human right and the foundation of all learning. This day was proclaimed by UNESCO on November 17, 1965. It’s goal is to highlight the importance of literacy to individuals, communities and societies. This years’ theme - “ Literacies for the 21st century” Some 776 million adults lack minimum literacy skills, one in five adults is still not literate and two thirds of them are women; 75 million children are out-of-school and many more attend irregularly or drop out. A good quality basic education equips pupils with literacy skills of life and further learning; literate parents are more likely to send their children to school; literate people are better able to access continuing educational opportunities and literate societies are better geared to meet pressing development. Literacy has been described as the ability to read for knowledge and write coherently and think critically about the written word. It can also include the ability to understand all forms of communication, be it body, language, pictures, video or sound (reading, speaking, listening and viewing). “ Learning is not attained by chance. It must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence. “ - Abigail adams “ It’s time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity there is beauty and there is strength. “ - Maya Angelou “ Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family. “ - Kofi Annan Knowledge is Power! Maria Brown Xpress Healthcare
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