Literacy—An Essential Investment Now for the Future

Dear Friends,

Literacy is power—the power to improve one’s life and shape one’s community. All people should know how to read and write, yet 771 million people (18 percent of the world’s population) are illiterate. The programs described in this booklet address this challenge. They are samples of a few of the many hundreds of excellent programs around the world that are designed to empower people through literacy.

Mrs. Laura Bush visits the Girl Friendly School in the Abou Sir neighborhood of Cairo, Egypt, May 23, 2005.
White House photo by Krisanne Johnson

Research has demonstrated that literacy is the indispensable foundation for prosperity, good health, democracy, and security. We know that education, particularly for girls and women, improves the health of all members of a family. We know that higher literacy levels correlate with lower HIV/AIDS rates.We know that the children of educated mothers are more likely to succeed in school and send their own children to school, creating an ascending spiral that will benefit future generations. And we know that as farmers become more literate, they increase agricultural yields, thereby increasing food security for their families and communities.

Meeting the goal of global literacy presents many challenges. Two-thirds of the non-literate population is female. People in rural areas of the world and from developing countries generally have less access to formal schooling and lifelong learning. And they are often deprived of the services and materials that boost literacy, such as libraries and newspapers.

The programs we are highlighting represent major positive steps to increase literacy for both women and men. Programs like these can be replicated around the world with the support of local and national governments, civil society, and the private sector.

I am delighted that UNESCO and its LIFE program (Literacy Initiative for Empowerment), along with USAID, the US Department of State and the US Department of Education, are committed to action. Global literacy is the most important long-term investment we can make to secure the world’s peace and prosperity for all generations. Please join us in this vital commitment.

With best regards,