The importance of literacy to the personal development of an individual and existence of any nation cannot be overemphasized. Literacy is the foundation for meaningful development of any nation. It is not a single entity but an interconnection of several fields--education, health, agriculture, and more. For example, a literate individual can have…

Statistical analysis of existing databases across nearly 200 countries dealing with national/human development (2 databases) and literacy/education policy (4 databases) shows high correlation between literacy and national development. Correlations were highest between national literacy scores and human/national development. Correlations were…

Any vision of knowledge societies must affirm the core aspirations for peaceful and sustainable knowledge societies in a way that acknowledges the interests of all stakeholders. It is essential to recall that knowledge societies are concerned with human development, not only with technological innovation and its impacts. This report focuses the…

The Human Development Index Literacy (HDIL) theory was developed in 2011 to eliminate or minimise the negative impact of issues underlying the failure of previous literacy programmes in promoting socio-economic development. This theory was tested for the first time between July 2013 and February 2014 in two rural communities of Botswana. A…

In this paper, the authors examined health related challenges facing Nigeria. They argued that the relationship between literacy and health in today's knowledge-based economy further puts pressure on countries like Nigeria to raise its literacy rates if it is to compete in the global market. This line of thought is based on the fact that in…

Literacy is the foundation of lifelong learning and a crucial element in the universally recognised right to education. However, illiteracy continues to exist as a global challenge, and many individuals still lack the basic literacy skills that are needed to engage in further learning opportunities and for the economic and social development of…

The correlations between literacy and development are universally recognized, though not always fully understood. Since the individual is the locus of all learning as well as the agent of all developmental actions, psychological approaches to the study of the relationship between literacy and development should be promising. The essential question…

An interview with the director of the Center for International Programs at the University of Guelph, Ontario, on adult and continuing education in India. (ABM)

A new concept of post-literacy involves the ability to participate in decision making. Four Latin American programs, linked to four educational needs (fundamental, productivity, social service, and community organization), illustrate the concept by using methods and techniques to give people a degree of autonomy and by respecting the cultures and…

This booklet about UNESCO's literacy program is written for, as well as about, young people to emphasize youth's contribution to literacy work. The purposes of the booklet are to: (1) explain some of the basic facts of illiteracy and literacy action; (2) analyze some of the major unresolved issues of illiteracy and literacy; and (3) stimulate and…

Thailand must direct its educational efforts towards socioeconomic and political development and, to this end, is focusing on basic literacy. Continuing education is also an important strategy for achieving the goal of "education for life." (Author/WD)

This paper argues that many internationally financed literacy programs do not sufficiently take into consideration important daily life issues of the learners, including nutritional deficiencies that may hinder learning, or of children-parent-society interactions that may improve learning. As a result, many programs have become synonymous with…

This bulletin examines aspects of world literacy with regard to population projects and family planning. Discussion includes the presentation of perspectives, definitions, and statistics concerning literacy. The role of literacy in economic development is examined; specific topics include adult and school-age illiteracy, rural and urban…

Recognizes book publishing as both a business and an art and argues that its value needs to be recognized, particularly in developing countries. (HOD)

Provides an extensive overview of the literature on the links that exist among language, literacy, education, and economic development. Compares and contrasts how the trajectories of economic development and literacy differ in rich and poor countries and raises the important question of whether literacy is a cause or by-product of development.…