The United States ranked 8th in 2015 according to the United Nations' Human Development Index, but empirical evidence shows that there are regions "within" the U.S. that would not classify as having "very high human development." We know about domestic poverty and hardship, but there are regions in the United States that are…

In the aftermath of the World War II, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) launched an ambitious campaign to improve access to education and to fight illiteracy worldwide. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948 had legitimised international action to raise educational and living standards in the…

The major purpose of the study was to look into change and continuity in the policy and practices of adult basic literacy initiatives in Ethiopia and to deduce lessons that can be drawn from the experiences for the future of adult basic literacy program in the country and elsewhere. Data was obtained through critical review of documents on the…

The social purposes of education are long term and oriented towards the construction and maintenance of a sustainable future. This article focuses on developing-country contexts with relatively low formal school enrolment rates, where dropout and failure rates are alarming, and where many children leave school semi-literate, soon to relapse into…

In the early 1990s, UNESCO estimated that perhaps 97% of the world's 650 million disabled persons were unable to read or write, leading to significant efforts throughout the developing world to ensure that all children with disabilities attended school through "inclusive education" programmes. But what of the vast majority of persons with…

In outlining the framework offered at the UNESCO Regional Conference in support of Global Literacy (New Delhi, November 2007), it was pointed out that concepts of poverty, sustainable development and particularly of literacy and innovation have themselves been in continuous re-construction. An analysis of the context and condition for literacy…

Almost 900m adolescents and adults are illiterate in the developing world, yet most policy discussions focus on the educational circumstances of primary aged children. As a result non-formal educational programs for adolescents and adults are given very little support, and this group is virtually ignored in international agreements such as the…

This is an abstract about Uganda. When the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government came to power in 1986, it had to address many challenges in order to achieve its objectives among which were: poverty eradication, eradication of illiteracy, reducing unemployment, bringing peace and prosperity for all. However, the government realised that in…

Literacy is a human right unequally distributed among the world's population. Despite global efforts to fight illiteracy, high illiteracy rates continue to jeopardize access for many to basic schooling, life-long learning, health, and environment safety. Illiteracy also hinders the economic prosperity of the poorest societies in this digital age.…

Critique of an earlier issue "Education as Transformation: Identity, Change, and Development" (see EJ 245 279-284), which was devoted to the role of education in Third World development. Asserts that the problems of the Third World still exist within the First. (JOW)

The author discusses adult education, poverty, and development in developing nations. Emphasis is on the results of the International Council for Adult Education's poverty project, which attempted to determine the most efficient use of international adult education monies. Recommendations are included. (CH)

While finding that the need for literacy and coordinated cooperation between developing countries, international organizations, and "donor" agencies is imperative, the author finds that abolishing illiteracy is possible only in the context of eradicating hunger, poverty, and oppression; the priorities are elsewhere. (SK)

Purpose: There is limited amount of research that constitutes non-traditional curricula implemented within an institutionalized context of developing countries. An attempt is made in this project to gain a clearer understanding of a non-traditional early learning program within an orphanage campus setting of Ladyville, Belize, Central America.…

Examines three myths concerning illiteracy: (1) the Third World remains poor because of high illiteracy rates; (2) nations can be rated on a scale that compares relative literacy rates, and (3) what is needed is a reliable definition. Concludes the real issue is not literacy, but equity and justice. (CH)

Lists the recipients of the first IRA Literacy Award and presents comments made by Amadou-Mahtar M'Bow, Director-General of UNESCO, on the state of literacy in the world today. (MKM)