Literacy and Peace
Literacy is a human right and the foundation of all education and lifelong learning. It transforms the lives of people, allowing them to make informed choices and empowering individuals to become agents of change. For these reasons International Literacy Day 2012 has a special focus on the fundamental relationship between literacy and peace.
“Lasting peace depends on the development of literate citizenship and access to education for all," said UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova, in a statement marking the day. "Amidst political upheaval and escalating violence in many parts of the world, literacy must be a priority in the peace-building agenda of all nations.”
How literacy supports development and peace (PDF 4.5MB)
Literacy rates are rising, but women and girls continue to lag behind
According to new data released by the UIS, literacy rates for adults and youth continue to rise. Women and girls are gaining ground, however they still make up more than 60% of the global illiterate population.
To illustrate the disparities in adult and youth literacy rates, the UIS has created a data visualization with statistics from 150 countries and territories, including literacy rates by sex and the correlation with national wealth. See how your country is faring.
Interactive literacy map
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