World Vision celebrates International Literacy Day

Friday, September 7, 2012

International literacy projects show innovation can set kids up for life

World Vision Australia congratulates the recipients of the inaugural All Children Reading literacy competition, which aims to improve the reading skills of children in developing nations.

All Children Reading: A Grand Challenge for Development is a unique partnership between World Vision and the Australian and US governments. Almost $10 million will be awarded to 32 international projects at a ceremony in Washington DC later today.

On the eve of International Literacy Day, World Vision Australia chief executive Tim Costello commended the grant recipients for the important work they do.

“It’s easy to take literacy for granted but millions around the world don’t have the opportunity to go to school, or make a living because they are denied a basic human right,” said Mr Costello. “Literacy is vital in equipping children to become active participants in their community.”

International Literacy Day is recognised around the world and aims to remind the international community that literacy is a human right and the foundation of all learning.

Mr Costello also congratulated Prime Minister Julia Gillard and US President Barack Obama for their support of All Children Reading: A Grand Challenge for Development.

“With 1 in 4 adults around the world unable to read, it is critical that a renewed focus on literacy outcomes is extended to all corners of the globe,” said Mr Costello. “The All Children Reading grant recipients demonstrate that innovative ideas can make a difference and set kids up for life.”

The award-winning projects cover a broad range of approaches to increasing literacy. One of the selected projects aims to reach almost 50,000 children in disadvantaged communities in Zambia by delivering locally-developed interactive content on low-cost digital platforms. Another 90,000 children in India will benefit from a learn-to-read initiative which integrates multi-sensory approaches – including visual, auditory, tactile and kinaesthetic – in engaging children with the use of low-cost digital tablets.

More information about All Children Reading: A Grand Challenge for Development and the grant recipients is available at:

http://worldvision.com.au/OurWork/Campaignsadvocacy/PartnershipsforLiteracy.aspx

 

Media Releases, Poverty, Asia and the Pacific, International Literacy Day, Julia Gillard, Literacy, Tim Costello

Back to all Results