R.M.Torres,20061 ADEA 2006 Biennial Meeting (Libreville, Gabon, March 27-31, 2006)

LITERACY AND LIFELONG LEARNING 1.Literacy is an ageless concept. 2.Literacy acquisition and development take place in and out of school. 3.Literacy is a transgenerational issue. 4.Literacy is a solid foundation for lifelong learning. 5.Literacy is essential for human development and for improving people’s quality of life. 6.Literacy is a lifelong learning process.

REDUCED GOALS, EXPANDED TIMEFRAMES LITERACY FOR ALL Eradicating illiteracy 1980s-2000 Reducing illiteracy by 50% Education for All Millennium Development Goals

REDUCED GOALS, EXPANDED TIMEFRAMES LITERACY FOR ALL Basic education (basic learning needs of all) Primary education (4 years) P Millennium Development Goals Education for All

A SHORT LITERACY PROGRAMME FOLLOWED BY A SHORT POST-LITERACY PROGRAMME? LITERACY FOR ALLL PL L L I F E

A LITERATE SOCIETY IS A PREREQUISITE FOR AN INFORMATION AND A KNOWLEDGE SOCIETY LITERATE SOCIETY INFORMATION SOCIETY KNOWLEDGESOCIETY LITERACY AND LIFELONG LEARNING

BUILDING A LITERATE SOCIETY IMPLIES: 1. Universal quality basic education for all children. 2. Universal literacy for all out-of-school youth and adults. 3. Promoting a literate environment and a literate culture at local and national level. 4. Eradicating poverty. LITERACY FOR ALL

BUILDING A LITERATE SOCIETY IMPLIES: 3. ENSURING A LITERATE ENVIRONMENT 4. ERADICATING POVERTY 1. UNIVERSAL QUALITY BASIC EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN 2. UNIVERSAL QUALITY BASIC EDUCATION FOR YOUTH AND ADULTS

COMMUNITY FAMILY 1. Literacy is an ageless concept LITERACY AND LIFELONG LEARNING YOUTH CHILDREN ADULTS

2. Literacy acquisition and development take place in and out of school The basis for literacy acquisition is rooted in early childhood. Literacy development goes far beyond the school system. The school system does not guarantee literacy acquisition. LITERACY AND LIFELONG LEARNING

3. Literacy is a transgenerational issue Parental illiteracy is a contributing factor to children’s problems in life and in school, including teacher and student discrimination. Literate parents ensure literate children and stimulate them to read and write. Literate children stimulate their illiterate parents to learn. Teachers who read and write habitually provide exemplary practice to their students. LITERACY AND LIFELONG LEARNING

4. Literacy is a solid foundation for lifelong learning Although not all education, learning or knowledge depend on the written language, reading and writing play a central role in self-expression and communication schooling the building and transmission of information and systematic knowledge the development of an active mind. LITERACY AND LIFELONG LEARNING

5. Literacy is essential for human development and for improving people’s quality of life Literacy improves the quality of life of people in many and most profound ways, not only and not necessarily economic in nature. It is related to human dignity, self-esteem, liberty, identity, autonomy, critical thinking, knowledge, creativity, participation, empowerment, social awareness and social transformation. LITERACY AND LIFELONG LEARNING

6. Literacy is a lifelong learning process Literacy implies VARIOUS: Stages of learning, development and mastery of reading and writing. Dimensions and applications of reading and writing. Formats: letters, print, mass media, digital technologies, etc. Uses and management of information and knowledge (e.g. “informational literacy”). LITERACY AND LIFELONG LEARNING

LITERACY FOR ALL, LIFELONG LEARNING FOR ALL