International Literacy Day will be celebrated on 8 September 2015. This year's theme is Literacy and Sustainable Societies. To commemorate the Day, countries covered by the UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa are organizing the following activities:

Comoros: A national celebration is being organized in Moroni on September 8 by Ministry of Education, University of Comoros, National Directorate of Literacy, Women and Development Network, General Planning Commission and UNESCO. A UNESCO roundtable on Literacy and Sustainable Societies are being organized with a particular focus on women and literacy, education, health and sustainable development. The discussions are also aimed to: 1. promote access for all to quality education and equity for learning throughout life; 2. develop basic skills in all sectors to improve the fight against poverty; 3. strengthen the resilience of the population to climate change and for building sustainable societies; and 4. strengthen cooperation between national authorities, islanders, civil society, target populations, technical and financial partners and other stakeholders of the education system.

Contact:

Aboubakari Boina: a.boina(at)unesco.org

Saba Bokhari: S.Bokhari@unesco.org

Masakazu Shibata: m.shibata@unesco.org

Djibouti: A national celebration is being organized at the University of Djibouti on September 9 by the Ministry of Education, the Ministry for the Advancement of Women, NGOs, UN partners involved in the fields presented and the University of Djibouti for all scientific reflections related to literacy. The activity consisted of a roundtable to show the correlation between literacy and the various areas that ensure sustainable development like economic self-sufficiency, health, learning throughout life, respect for the environment, etc.). Each stakeholder at roundtable gave a presentation according to its area of ​​intervention, followed by a discussion and exchange with the audience.

Contact:

Idris Youssef Elmi: iy.elmi@unesco.org

Saba Bokhari: S.Bokhari@unesco.org

Masakazu Shibata: m.shibata@unesco.org

Kenya: A national celebration is being organised on September 8 through in the morning show ‘State of the Nation’ on Nation FM on behalf of UNESCO. The event was be preceded by presenter mentions, spot ads and promos on Nation FM. During the shows the presenters discussed what literacy is, its importance for to day-to-day life and how it can transform a society. Listeners were asked to call in and share their experiences on how literacy has changed their lives. UNESCO director Mohamed Djelid was interviewed on the occasion and a panel discussed issues on literacy and its effects on sustainable living. In the panel were an individual whose life has been changed due literacy, a representative from the Ministry of Education, Science & Technology and other experts on the issue. Simultaneously, a national celebration took place in Makueni County. Telephone communication took place with a resource person from the location of the celebration.

Contact:

Charles Obiero: c.obiero@unesco.org

Saba Bokhari: S.Bokhari@unesco.org

Masakazu Shibata: m.shibata@unesco.org

Rwanda: A national celebration is being organised on September 8 on both themes “Literacy and Sustainable Societes” and “Literacy and Diversity” by MINEDUC and the Ministry of Sports and Culture (MINISPOC) through the Rwanda Academy of Language and Culture. September 8 is also the launch date of 'Rwanda Read's, a 'Literacy month' across the country that will run until October 4. Various events will be conducted by different partners of the Ministry of Education (MINEDUC). Events range from organised meetings, dialogues, awarding of certificates to graduates, engaging and conducting media talk shows on literacy, reading etc. The events and activites, taking place in different districts and at the national level, will show how the various stakeholders, partners and beneficiary communities can contribute differently to literacy.

Contact:

Andrew Gasozi-Ntwali: a.gasozi-ntwali@unesco.org

Saba Bokhari: S.Bokhari@unesco.org

Masakazu Shibata: m.shibata@unesco.org

Uganda: A one day national symposium is being organised on September 8 consisting of a Round Table and an exhibition of literacy products from adult learner centers. The symposium is organised by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development and partners, especially UN sister agencies and civil society organisations together with UNATCOM and ULALA. On the same day a radio and TV talk show took place with the ministry, UNATCOM, ULALA and adult literacy learners. Various dialogues took place on the regional level to raise awareness of the public on the importance of literacy for sustainable societies.

Contact:

Charles Obiero: c.obiero@unesco.org

Saba Bokhari: S.Bokhari@unesco.org

Masakazu Shibata: m.shibata@unesco.org

Somalia:

South-Central: A national celebration is being organised on September 8 in the Mogadishu Somali National University compound by UNESCO and MECHE. A Round Table on Literacy and Sustainable Societies took place with discussions on key topics relating to literacy. The event included media (TV and radio) coverage to create awareness on the importance of literacy. Furthermore, the official handover of equipment for the non-formal education department at the Ministry of Education – who are also in charge of literacy programmes - took place.

Contact:

Aburas Ali Farah: aa.farah@unesco.org

Lemma Demissew: d.lemma@unesco.org

Masakazu Shibata: m.shibata@unesco.org

Puntland: A national celebration is being organised on September 8 in the Ministry of Education and Higher Education conference Hall in Garowe by UNESCO, UNICEF, Relief International and MEHE. A Round Table on Literacy and Sustainable Societies took place with discussions on key topics relating to literacy. The event included media (TV and radio) coverage to create awareness on the importance of literacy. Furthermore, the official handover of equipment for the non-formal education department at the Ministry of Education – who are also in charge of literacy programmes - took place.

Contact:

Mohamed Hashi: ma.hashi(at)unesco.org

Lemma Demissew: d.lemma@unesco.org

Masakazu Shibata: m.shibata@unesco.org

Somaliland: A national celebration is being organised on September 8 in the Baarka Shaqalaha Venue near Civil Servant Institute in Hargeisa by UNESCO and MEHS. A Round Table on Literacy and Sustainable Societies took place with discussions on key topics relating to literacy. The event included media (TV and radio) coverage to create awareness on the importance of literacy. Furthermore, the official handover of equipment for the non-formal education department at the Ministry of Education – who are also in charge of literacy programmes - took place.

Contact:

Ahmed Abokor: a.abokor@unesco.org

Lemma Demissew: d.lemma@unesco.org

Masakazu Shibata: m.shibata@unesco.org