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It gives me great pleasure to learn that the Second Asia Regional Literacy Forum is being organised at New Delhi from 9 -13 February, 1998. To my mind, there can be nothing more befitting. We are all aware that whereas India has the world's largest pool of illiterate humanity, it has also mounted the world's largest and most concerted programme to overcome the scourge of literacy. The idea of strong regional initiatives to voice the concerns of adult and continuing education and evolve and explore new strategies has always received the strongest possible support from UNESCO. The concept of regional forums took concrete shape at the world conference on literacy held at Philadelphia in 1996. UNESCO was a co-sponsor of that event and we are proud to learn that in the Asia Pacific region the first such conference was ably hosted by the Philippines in 1997. Thereafter in July 1997, UNESCO organised the international conference on literacy and adult education. Support for the concept of regional forums was widely received at Hamburg and we in UNESCO have been very keen that such initiatives should both be sustained and broadened. It, therefore, gives me both satisfaction and pride that the Second Asia Regional Literacy Forum is being jointly organised by National Literacy Mission, India and international Literacy Institute, Philadelphia. In Hamburg it was recognised that adult education is "the key to the 21st century". To the nations of Asia, many of whom have demonstrated great resolve and outstanding determination in fighting illiteracy and spreading the concept of lifelong education, I sincerely urge that they redouble their efforts, evolve new strategies and explore innovative methods through such regional forums. I am here in India at a particularly important juncture. In the 50th year of this great country's Independence, 1 wish to invoke memories of that great apostle of peace and non-violence , Mahatma Gandhi. We in UNESCO genuinely believe that education and development must be aimed at achieving a peaceful and violence-free world. In spreading the message of Gandhi and in pledging ourselves to education for life, we ensure that democracy survives and grows and brings light and liberty to the darkest corners of the globe. I am sure that the outcome of these deliberations would help us move
forward in our combined goal of achieving education for all. A Brief Note for the Press Even in these turbulent times when the market - quakes are shaking the foundations of Asian affluence, the importance of the continent continues to interest the world. After oil Asia, the ancient civilisation, is the current hotbed of progressive markets. Asian countries, which have succeeded in making a mark, owe it to their social and economic outlook. Much before Asia began to play the market it had high regards for the mind. Asia has been the cradle of civilisation, cultural and controlled wisdom. It is therefore not surprising that in this day of cerebral capitalism Asia has been able to make its presence felt so easily. While Asian traditions are steadfast, unfortunately some of the social scarcity continues to prevail, too. Asia has the largest share of world population,' it also has the largest share of illiterate people. Most of these people are residing in two of the Asian giants, China (although China has significantly improved its literacy rate in the lost two decades) and India. Those who have the ability to utilise the cranial capacity to the fullest are creating today's wealth,. this of course can be done only when we have the fundamentals in place. The door to creating improved quality of life begins with literacy and education, seemingly simple but in reality complex issues. The literacy question needs to be answered constantly, and each time it needs to be refined, keeping in tune with the realities of time and place. While each country has its own literacy agenda there is a need for communication among the countries also. The opportunity provided by the Asia Regional Literacy Forum will be utilised by as many as 18 countries (including India) not only from Asia but also from Europe, America and Australia.
As the countries of Asia prepare to enter the 2]st century and face the new challenges of globalization and market economies, the importance of literacy for all has become self-evident. The breakdown of traditional support networks caused by mobility and urbanization combined with the increased needs for collaboration add new and growing demands on literacy skills among the people in the region. The popular view of literacy as the ability to read and write one's name or a short text in one's mother tongue has proven to be insufficient in the context of the highly differentiated ethnic and linguistic cultures of Asia. The Forum participants will review literacy problems within the rich and complex diversity of pluralistic societies. A major goal will be to discuss how literacy, and non-formal basic education can help to respond effectively to the region 1 s new development needs, while also providing a greater democratic participation and a culture of openness and tolerance to its various linguistic communities. A focus on diversity - ethnic, cultural, and linguistic - will provide participants with new insights on long-standing challenges in literacy, education and development. The Forum will provide an opportunity for discussion among policy makers, researchers and practitioners from all over Asia. It will address such issues as planning and policy development, professional development, curriculum development, linguistic diversity and planning, gender, evaluation and assessment, workplace training, distance education, and technology innovations. Keynote speakers will include leading thinkers and practitioners in literacy work from national, regional and international institutions. Discussion will take place concerning the reinforcement of regional networks for improving the quality of adult education and literacy in Asia.
The conference is being organised from 9 February 1998 to 13 February 1998 in New Delhi at Ashok Hotel jointly by National Literacy Mission (NLM), UNESCO and International Literacy institute (ILI), University of Pennsylvania. The forum has acknowledged support of Department for International Development (DFID), lndira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE), National Institute of Education, Planning and Administration (NIEPA), National Open School (NOS), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and the World Bank.
The general theme will be 'Innovation and Professionalization in Adult Literacy'. The focus is on 'Diversity'. The diversity theme is selected on realisation that the world is changing, and this change is being noticed in the breakdown of the traditional systems. In an increasingly pluralistic society the traditional systems of support is breaking down, emphasising a need for innovative literacy skills. The Forum participants would discuss how literacy and non-formal basic education could help to respond effectively to the region's new development needs. The Forum will address. issues of diversity in ethnic, linguistic and cultural terms, and also how this is related to literacy and development needs of the region and of the world.
The celebrated Bangla writer Ms. Mahasheveto Devi, winner of the Sahitya Academy and Jananpeeth awards, will be the Chief Guest when the conference opens on 9 February 1998. Her concern for the downtrodden is well known and needs no repetition, Eminent educationist Dr. Chitra Naik will deliver the keynote address.
The conference is divided into six plenary sessions:
All sessions would be followed by concurrent workshops on themes such as Literacy and Human Rights, Community Development, Children and Youth, Literacy and Professional Development, etc. The sessions would be attended by Indian and foreign delegates who are encouraged to read papers as well as participate in the discussions. The Forum will spread the message of literacy, Indian participation and cooperation on a socially common case.
Contact Info: Ms Romeshwari Hando |
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