United Nations Literacy Decade in Asia and the Pacific: Progress to Date

In December 2001, The United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution to establish the United Nations Literacy Decade (UNLD), 2003-2012. The UNLD stresses "Literacy for All: A voice for all, learning for all." The publication records UNLD activities in the Asia and Pacific region during 2003 to 2004 and introduces organizations that have contributed to the UNLD program in literacy and non-formal education. A number of countries in response to UNLD carried out assessment and research, capacity building, and learning programs through community learning centers. UNESCO also established a resource team in the Asia and Pacific to assist governments and NGOs implement "Literacy for All". The success of UNLD rides on the policy makers' willingness to revise their perception of literacy from merely reading, writing and numeracy to the ability to communicate and to learn. Other related issues in the pursuit of "Literacy for All" include attention over program effectiveness, community participation, gender equality, people with disabilities, and speakers of minority languages. The publication includes 3 documents from United Nations General Assembly including: (l) "Draft Proposal and Plan for a United Nations Literacy Decade" dated 20 June 2001; (ll) "United Nations Literacy Decade: Education for All; International Plan for Action; Implementation of General Assembly Resolution 56/116"; and (lll) "Terms of Reference": Formation of UNLD Resource Persons' Team for Implementing and Monitoring the UN Literacy Decade. [This document was published by UNESCO Asia and Pacific Bureau for Education and as part of the Asia-Pacific Programme of Education for All (APPEAL).]