United Nations Celebrates Literacy Day

Above:  PDG Douglas Vincent and RI Vice-President Monty Audenart at the United Nations book shop.

Recently Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for urgent action to promote literacy around the world, noting the health implications of being unable to read or access vital prevention, treatment and support services.

In his message for International Literacy Day, Mr. Ban noted that 20% of adults, 774 million, are illiterate.  In addition 75 million children are not in school and millions more leave school without a level of literacy adequate for productive and active participation in society.  "That this can occur in today's information society should drive home the urgency to promote literacy throughout the world," he stressed.

Noting the day's theme of "Literacy and Health," Mr. Ban stated that illiteracy has a direct impact on human health.  "It prevents people from reading medicine instructions. It means that people are less likely to know facts about AIDS, malaria and other infectious diseases," he said.   

Literacy is "indispensable" for achieving the Millennium Development Goals and for addressing some of the world's most important public health challenges.  The head of UNESCO added that today's gravest health concerns cannot be adequately addressed unless literacy finds a place in public health policies and strategies.

"It is essential for countries to show greater leadership and increase spending on literacy, and for donors to give it a higher profile in their aid portfolio," he stated, adding that there is also an urgent need to scale up youth and adult learning programs.

Rotarians, you can help by creating awareness in your community, by encouraging your governments to take action promoting literacy and by using the tools and programs in your Rotary Foundation to help the United Nations to be more effective in reaching the Millennium Goals.