IIMSAM Middle East Office observed International Day of Literacy

IIMSAM Middle East Director & Goodwill Ambassador Dr. Naseer Homoud message on International Day of Literacy. The target as laid down in UN MDGs No. 2 that by 2015, children everywhere, boys and girls alike, will be able to complete a full course of primary schooling can only be redeemed by serious planning and effective action, he asserted. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) September 08, 2010 - On the occasion of International Day of Literacy Dr. Naseer Homoud Goodwill Ambassador and Director of Middle East office for the Intergovernmental Institution for the use of Micro-algae Spirulina against Malnutrition (IIMSAM), the Permanent Observer to the United Nations Economic and Social Council while addressing the media said "World Literacy Day 2010 presents a moment to both celebrate achievements to date and to press on for those which have yet to be reached". He further said "a basic human right, literacy is at the heart of education for all and essential for eradicating poverty, reducing child mortality, curbing population growth, and achieving gender equality. Despite the major milestones accomplished towards literacy, the goal of literacy for all, including children, youth and adults, remains an unaccomplished goal which is indeed not a healthy sign for the developed civilization".

International Literacy Day was originally proclaimed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1965 with the aim to highlight the importance of literacy to individuals, communities and societies. The annual event brings worldwide attention to literacy and is held around the world each September 8th. The aim of International Literacy Day is to focus attention on worldwide literacy issues and needs. Since its inception, this day became a special occasion for literacy awareness and many educational programmes featuring the particular day.

Observing the Day he said "education and literacy are the foundation and essence of all human development. Literacy confers a wide set of benefits on individuals, on families and communities. Social benefits arise on account of better knowledge and awareness that literacy gives. This helps in improving the implementation of social welfare programmes, fighting social evils and in building tolerant societies. Another set of benefits from literacy is economic, as it positively impacts on enhancing skills and earning capacities. A third set of benefits is political. A literate environment is fundamental for empowering citizens, who understand their rights and duties and take informed decisions. But, the most important are human benefits as literacy enhances an individual's self esteem and confidence levels". Lessons learnt over recent decades show that meeting the goal of universal literacy calls not only for more effective efforts but also for renewed political will and doing things differently at local, national and international levels, he asserted.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Homoud said that education has become an important part of our day to day life and he urged everyone to try to convince others about the importance of literacy and for cooperatively combating illiteracy. He urged people to join the crusade against this prevailing social evil. "We blame the government for the dwindling literacy rate, but we hardly care for teaching our illiterate neighbors. On this special day, let us vow to make this world literate. It is possible if we begin on our own by sparing some time for uneducated people living around us" Dr. Homoud appealed.

International Literacy Day is also a time to focus on the challenges faced in ensuring that literacy standards and education levels in the world continues to improve. "I encourage everyone to take the time today to reflect on the link between economic well-being and literacy," Dr. Homoud said. "By working together to promote literacy we can make the whole world a 'have' territory with no boundaries with healthy, educated people making responsible personal choices for themselves and their families", he contended.

Calling support for IIMSAM which, under able and visionary guidance of His Excellency Ambassador Remigio M. Maradona its Director General, is working towards eradicating malnutrition through usage of Spirulina Dr. Homoud said "a nourished child is certainly asset of the future and literacy and nutrition are deeply associated and needs no introduction. IIMSAM through its camps ensures that a child who is being supplied Spirulina in its camps is guided to elementary education. We are also in negotiations with several organizations working in promoting literacy to partner with IIMSAM to get these children involved in education".

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