Investments in girls' education in developing countries support U.S. foreign policy, demonstrate U.S. compassion and generosity, drive development efforts, and help reduce extreme poverty. The US Agency for International Development's (USAID's) programming takes into account the gender-related constraints that prevent access of both boys and girls…

Free and compulsory primary education remains a priority area in the international policy perspective, starting from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948 to the formulation of Sustainable Development Goals in 2015. Under the impact of globalization, an impressive expansion in the access to primary education has been observed in recent…

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…

Created in 1945 as a specialised agency of the United Nations (UN), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) was given, among other mandates, the task of reconstructing education systems devastated during the Second World War. UNESCO, in turn, and after some debate about an engagement in Germany, founded the…

At its founding in 1946, UNESCO put literacy at the top of its education and human rights agenda. More than six decades later, UNESCO maintains the mission statement: "UNESCO is at the forefront of global literacy efforts and is dedicated to keeping literacy high on national, regional and international agendas." This chapter briefly describes how…

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…

In her groundbreaking book, "The Violence of Literacy", the relevance of which has not diminished in the twelve years since its publication, J. Elspeth Stuckey argues that despite the best intentions of teachers, literacy is largely a tool of oppression rather than liberation. Learning to write, Stuckey argues, does too little to…

Reports on the twenty-second conference of the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), an organization formed to promote international understanding through children's books. Held in Williamsburg, Virginia, in September 1990, this was the first IBBY conference held in the United States, and presentations focused on the theme of…

UNESCO has undergone several phases in its contribution to the formulation of language policies worldwide. UNESCO has acted as a somewhat sporadic advocate over the years without coming forward with an actual charter of linguistic rights. It may be that international organizations by their nature seek consensus only or that UNESCO is without a…

Reviews and quotes from United Nations and UNESCO policy and program statements made during the 1970's regarding strategies for adult education and development. (WL)

The final report of the International Symposium for Literacy, which met in Persepolis, Iran, from September 3-8, 1975, is presented. Participating were 75 individuals from around the world, including representatives from China, Vietnam, and North Korea. Chapter 1 discusses the symposium's origin and sponsoring committee activities while chapter 2,…

This document reviews progress in the nine high-populations countries towards the goal of Education for All (EFA). The nine countries are Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Nigeria, and Pakistan. Since the Thailand conference in 1990, most countries have shown improvement with primary education increasing by over 40…

Opening remarks by Hans-Peter Geh, President of the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA), address the meeting theme, "New Horizons of Librarianship towards the 21st Century," with emphasis on the need for international cooperation as technology advances and libraries expand to become large information centers. Remarks…

Notes 1990 is UNESCO's International Literacy Year. Presents alternative ways of overcoming illiteracy in Latin America. Suggests major contributing factors concern the region's weak economy. Argues the state's role is decisive in transferring resources to marginal sectors. Views literacy as a basic human right and that it allows for democratic…

A combined meeting of the Tenth Regional Consultation Meeting on the Asia and Pacific Programme of Educational Innovation for Development (APEID) and the Regional Experts Meeting on the Regional Programme for the Universalization and Renewal of Primary Education and the Eradication of Illiteracy in Asia and the Pacific was held to provide an…