Literacy is a human right, and the foundation for continuous learning and improvement of quality of life. Due to its multiplier effect, literacy helps to eradicate poverty, decrease child mortality, achieve gender equality, and ensure sustainable development, peace, and democracy. 

Even though there is an array of literacy programmes in Latin America and the Caribbean, it is clear that there is a serious problem with the drop-out rate, among other challenges. To confront this, good literacy policy practices and education programmes for youth and adults have been implemented throughout the region. However, there are still critical obstacles and significant challenges. 

Target 6 of the new Education 2030 Agenda entails ensuring that all youth achieve literacy and numeracy. Therefore, among its other efforts, UNESCO is working to ensure high-quality literacy programmes in line with the national contexts, to broaden adult literacy and skills programmes, and to promote the use of ICT, specifically mobile technology.