To address the causes of illiteracy, ISESCO calls for proactive measures

Follow-up - INA

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) stressed, today, Saturday, the need to adopt proactive preventive measures to address the sources of illiteracy, instead of merely adopting therapeutic mechanisms to confront this phenomenon.

In a statement, the organization called on, on the occasion of International Literacy Day: "We call on everyone to intensify diligent efforts to promote literacy, improve its quality and maximize its benefit in enhancing mutual understanding and peace," stressing "the need to adopt proactive preventive methods to close the sources of illiteracy, instead of merely adopting therapeutic mechanisms to address this phenomenon. 

The organization explained that "based on its belief in the importance of supporting literacy and comprehensive and equitable education for all, the organization focuses, within its mission and strategic vision, on education as a human right, by spreading awareness of the need to confront illiteracy and focusing on marginalized and poorest groups, especially girls and women."

The organization continued, "It also highlights the need to mobilize sufficient financial resources and increase investments allocated to this field, in addition to the availability of more open and free educational resources of high quality."

It indicated that "supporting literacy programs in its member states is at the heart of its priorities, as the progress achieved in this field is not sufficient," noting that "the road is still difficult and requires a lot of effort and cooperation International, in a global context characterized by the presence of 765 million illiterate youth and adults, two-thirds of whom are girls and women, in addition to the prevalence of inequalities in access to literacy programs, and the weak participation of the poor and most needy and deprived groups.

The organization pointed out that, "In our fast-paced world, where technology is increasingly important and cultures are multiplying, qualifying individuals through a multilingual educational approach based on the mother tongue becomes more urgent than ever," stressing that, "This approach will contribute pivotally to enhancing reading and writing skills, encourage mutual understanding and respect for cultural diversity, which supports efforts to build more just and peaceful societies and provides individuals with broad horizons for continuous learning."