Think Literacy and Peace This International Literacy Day, September 8
On September 8, the world will mark International Literacy Day, recognizing the more than 759 million adults—16 percent of the world’s population—who possess only basic or below basic literacy levels in their native languages.
The theme of this year’s International Literacy Day is Literacy and Peace. Literacy can have a tremendous impact on conflict resolution and human rights. In fact, peace projects are one of the core international initiatives at ProLiteracy, helping to address violence, cultural expression, and indigenous rights in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Nicaragua, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Ghana, Rwanda, South Africa, Sierra Leone, Bangladesh, and Canada.
ProLiteracy’s Literacy and Peace Initiative integrates literacy and peace building to help men, women, and children in 10 African and Middle Eastern countries develop non-violent solutions to conflict-based problems. Specifically, ProLiteracy works in Afghanistan with partner Roqia Center to peacefully change the philosophy of the Taliban through education.
Approximately 90 percent of the women and 80 percent of the men in Afghanistan cannot write their names or read a political candidate’s name. The unique program with the Roqia Center brings husbands and wives into the same classroom to learn about human rights and constitutional rights—and they enhance their literacy skills along the way.
“Programs that contribute to building safe, peaceful, and healthy communities around the world are a vital component of building a better world for us all,” says David C. Harvey, president and CEO of ProLiteracy. “We urge the United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), to prioritize funding for these programs, and we encourage all Americans to consider on this International Literacy Day what they can do to move the world toward peace.”
About ProLiteracy
ProLiteracy is the oldest and largest nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing adult literacy and basic education, working in all 50 states in the United States and in more than 30 developing countries to help local organizations change lives and communities through adult literacy and basic education. We have nearly 1,000 member organizations across the United States, including several in Central New York.
The theme of this year’s International Literacy Day is Literacy and Peace. Literacy can have a tremendous impact on conflict resolution and human rights. In fact, peace projects are one of the core international initiatives at ProLiteracy, helping to address violence, cultural expression, and indigenous rights in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Nicaragua, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Ghana, Rwanda, South Africa, Sierra Leone, Bangladesh, and Canada.
ProLiteracy’s Literacy and Peace Initiative integrates literacy and peace building to help men, women, and children in 10 African and Middle Eastern countries develop non-violent solutions to conflict-based problems. Specifically, ProLiteracy works in Afghanistan with partner Roqia Center to peacefully change the philosophy of the Taliban through education.
Approximately 90 percent of the women and 80 percent of the men in Afghanistan cannot write their names or read a political candidate’s name. The unique program with the Roqia Center brings husbands and wives into the same classroom to learn about human rights and constitutional rights—and they enhance their literacy skills along the way.
“Programs that contribute to building safe, peaceful, and healthy communities around the world are a vital component of building a better world for us all,” says David C. Harvey, president and CEO of ProLiteracy. “We urge the United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), to prioritize funding for these programs, and we encourage all Americans to consider on this International Literacy Day what they can do to move the world toward peace.”
About ProLiteracy
ProLiteracy is the oldest and largest nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing adult literacy and basic education, working in all 50 states in the United States and in more than 30 developing countries to help local organizations change lives and communities through adult literacy and basic education. We have nearly 1,000 member organizations across the United States, including several in Central New York.
It is mind-boggling that “approximately 90 percent of the women and 80 percent of the men in Afghanistan cannot write their names or read a political candidate’s name.” By no means am I an expert on Afghanistan, but I have to believe that the abysmal literacy rate helps to foster the public sector corruption that I hear so much about. I would think that the people who cannot read and write are at the mercy of corrupt politicians and bureaucrats who are only interested in lining their pockets instead of working to improve their people’s quality of life. Ultimately, I believe that our greatest weapon for combating destructive religious and secular ideologies is education. Therefore, as the U.S. implements an exit strategy for the military, I hope the U.S. will commit to a long-term effort to support the rebuilding of the education system in Afghanistan.
ReplyDeleteSeptember 8th is only a few days away. There are many things to celebrate in September, this is only one of the many great things going on. I agree with ehodge and his comments. With so many illiterate individuals in the world, who are at the mercy of those who are over them, ultimately, you wonder if the world will ever change. When do they reach the point that they decide there is a better life out there and they take over their own country. Lives are lost and yes, perhaps in the end, things will be better, but not at a large expense of many important things. The United States along with many other countries do need to put education at the forefront of all else. Teaching others and others learning is key to making this country a success. All countries need educated individuals to run and work in the workforce, to keep the country running smoothly, and to avoid any type of breakdown. Therefore, I too hope that we are not only training troops to fight and support their country, but I also hope we are educating the country on the importance of education and learning for everyone in the country, especially those who are small and someday will be running the country. Thanks Proliteracy.
ReplyDeleteEhodge, Kathy, and Proliteracy:
ReplyDeleteI agree. This blog also has me considering teacher education, training, and ongoing professional support. What does teacher education look like in Afghanistan? What does continued professional support look like?
Kris
@Ehodge, @Kathy
ReplyDeleteHere is an interesting USAID project on teacher support in Afghanistan: http://afghanistan.usaid.gov/en/USAID/Activity/44/Building_Education_Support_Systems_for_Teachers_BESST