In September 2012 the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) came to the end of the UN Literacy Decade, a global effort to promote education and reading skills everywhere, but particularly where literacy levels are low. Studies have shown a link between literacy levels and poverty levels, and many countries where children have to drop out of school early also are troubled by war and other conflicts. But while the decade is over, the fight to promote good reading skills continues everywhere.

As former UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura said in a report in 2008,

“It is common to talk of ‘knowledge societies,’ but less common to acknowledge that the generation, transmission and transformation of knowledge almost always depends on writing – whether on paper, computer screen or mobile phone. Without literacy, people are excluded from access to these circuits of knowledge, and even from the most basic information they may need for daily life. Literacy is an integral part of addressing major global challenges – food security and agricultural production, HIV & AIDS and other epidemics, economic growth, and intercultural relations. Opportunities to learn and acquire new skills necessarily require literacy.”

One in five adults worldwide can’t effectively read or write. While there are many people in the wealthier industrialized countries who lack literacy skills, it’s true that most of the lack is found in places like Sub-Saharan Africa, where drought, war, and poverty have long been a problem. Getting basic reading skills can be a serious issue for migrant workers who don’t speak the language of their new country, for young girls who may be prevented from going to school because of money or family problems, and for people with disabilities who need extra support and help. When neither adults nor children in a family can read, entire generations can suffer. However, as programs in places like Bangladesh, Guatemala, and the United States have shown, when parents are encouraged to read more, their children’s reading skills improve, too.

Basic reading skills are the first step to an improved society. Once children can read and write, they’ll be able to take advantage of educational opportunities and carry them forward to their families and children in the future. 7 Speed Reading supports global efforts towards universal literacy, and encourages everyone to keep reading!

Reference: The Global Literacy Challenge 2008 Report (UNESCO)