Photo: André de Moraes Sarmento Solidarity in Literacy outlines education partnership network

Solidarity in Literacy (AlfaSol) is a nonprofit civil entity, acknowledged as Federal Public Interest. AlfaSol was founded in 1997 and is located in São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Mission: Reduce high illiteracy indexes and enlarge EJA - Youth and Adults Education public offering in Brazil. Photo: Zuleika de Souza Who we are

What do we do? L I T E R A C Y Strengthening Educational Programs for Youth and Adults International Cooperation Program Reading Incentive Program Digital Education Program Reference Center in Youth and Adult Education - CEREJA Diversity Attention Program National ProjectNational Project Large Urban Centers ProjectLarge Urban Centers Project Literacy within Companies Literacy within Companies “To see” Project “To see” Project Nutritional Supplement ProjectNutritional Supplement Project

For whom?  Youngster over 15 years of age and illiterate or little educated adults  Local educators qualification  Structuring and strengthening of Youth and Adult Education municipal policy (Municipal Education Secretary) Photo: Marcio Garcez

Why? Brazilian Scenario In 1997, 1990 IBGE Census – the universe of absolute illiterates over 15 years of age represented 19,4% of Brazilian population 2000 IBGE Census – 16 million of illiterates over 15 years of age INAF / Instituto Paulo Montenegro – 74% of adult population is functionally illiterate there still are 14,6 million absolute illiterates in Brazil Data from PNAD - National Household Sampling Survey, annually disclosed by IBGE, there still are 14,6 million absolute illiterates in Brazil.

Where? 13% 24,5% 15,5% 13,5% 16,8% 12,1% 18,8% 28,4% 30,5% 26,5% 25,4% 29,7% 24,5% 33,4% 25,2% 23,1% 12% 11,7% 6,6% 9,5% 6,3% 6,7% 11,2% 12,4% 13% 5,7% Source IBGE 2000

How? network Latin retis Thread intertwining with regular clearances that form a kind of woven fabric Through a simple initial literacy model, low cost, based on a partnership systems with different society sectors.

 5,3 million Brazilians attended  244 thousand qualified literacy teachers  municipalities attended in Brazil  102 partner Institutions of Higher Education (IES)  182 partner private and government Institutions During 11 years of operation, AlfaSol and its partners network achieved significant results: Results

The results facing the challenge to attend millions of youngsters and adults in a country as large as Brazil aroused international interest. AlfaSol developed the International Cooperation Program already carried out in 5 countries: East Timor, Mozambique, St. Thomas & Prince, Cape Verde and Guatemala. Classroom in Mozambique

Partnership Network towards Illiteracy Decrease in Brazil COMMUNITY Municipal Secretaries of Education Photo: Eduardo Tavares Partners of AlfaSol Programs Institutions of Higher Education (IES) Territory

 Solidarity in Literacy  Municipal Education Secretaries  Institutions of Higher Education (IES)  Partners of AlfaSol Programs: Networks Partners and Dynamics The partners network effectiveness to decrease illiteracy in Brazil is mostly due to each social player co-responsibility when performing its role.  Public Authorities / Governmental Institutions  Multilateral Organizations  Private Institutions  Individuals

Challenges and Benefits Challenges:  14,6 millions of absolute illiterates;  Geographic dimensions of Brazil;  Support and strengthen EJA public policies nationwide;  Keep Network members involvement and common objectives;  Manage interest conflicts;  Extend number of Network partners. Benefits:  National impact - different types of organizations mobilized towards the cause;  Attendance capacity;  Impact on Youth and Adult Education public policies;  Social investment in locations with low IDHm.

Impacts The census carried out in ,7% ,8%, 32,3% decrease. The census carried out in 1991 showed that 19,7% of Brazilian population did not know how to read and write; in 2000, such rate dropped to 12,8%, registering a 32,3% decrease. In the final report, IBGE researchers state that "such improvement – specially in the population over 15 years old – reflects, partially, the efforts of Solidarity in Literacy Program (non-governmental organization), whose objective is to reduce illiteracy indexes in Brazil and sponsor Youth and Adults Education (EJA) public offering".

Impacts Rate evolution of Youth and Adults Education – EJA enrollment in Brazilian municipalities from 2000 to 2006 Source: IBGE Demographic Census (2000). INEP/ MEC School Census (2000 to 2006). ATEC - Solidarity in Literacy Technical Advisory Board (2000 to 2006).

Indicators 1997 to 2006  5,3 million Brazilians attended  244 thousand qualified literacy teachers  municipalities attended in Brazil  212 partner Institutions of Higher Education (IES)  182 partner private and government Institutions 1 st year operation  9,2 thousand Brazilians attended  442 qualified literacy teachers  38 municipalities attended in Brazil  38 partner Institutions of Higher Education (IES)  11 partner private and government Institutions

Assessment Since its creation, it is AlfaSol institutional practice to systematically assess its Programs and Projects, a continuous assessment process of quantitative and qualitative data on Youth and Adults Education in the municipalities attended.  Quantitative  Qualitative Monitoring and assessment system:

 Magazine Escrevendo Juntos;  Newsletter Empresas;  Newsletter IES;  Newsletter Municípios;  Newsletter Cidadão Solidário;  Newsletter CEREJA; Communication vehicles and tools are used to render public the work developed, results achieved and keep each network partner informed and committed to its role: Communication  Annual Trajectory;  Annual Report;  Composition Contest Book;  Module Assessment;  Scientific Magazine;  Press Relations. National mobilization towards the cause, through the “Adopt a Student Campaign”.

Challenges and Opportunities  Make the cause known to the public and provoke mobilization and responsiveness towards it;  Manage and signalize the direction and objectives of the partners network;  Dynamically engage with the partnership network;  Always share the challenges and results achieved;  Clear up and continuously inform the role and relevance of each Network partner;  Establish direct and continuous communication with every partner;  Manage interest conflicts among different partners;  Strengthen developed actions extending the impact of results and provoking effective transformations for the society. Success critical factors

Contact  Claudia Amalfi Marques (11)