September 17, 2006

The White House Conference on Global Literacy: Toward a Lfe cycles Education
Policy

Tom Sticht
International Consultant in Adult Education

The White House Conference on Global Literacy meets in New York City
tomorrow,  on September 18, 2006. The announcement for the Conference,
online at www.globalliteracy.gov, states: "Higher literacy rates require
political commitment at all levels, including specific government plans
that invest in literacy and education for all citizens. The White House
Conference on Global Literacy will underscore the need for sustained global
and country-level leadership in the area of literacy."

The announcement goes on to describe the three themes of the conference:

"Mother-Child Literacy and Intergenerational Learning
Mothers and other adult caregivers must be involved in their children’s
education. A South Africa program works with adults in rural communities so
they can help their children learn. In Mali, a grassroots program trains
illiterate women and encourages their participation in local civic issues.
In the United States, pediatricians are trained to teach parents the
importance of reading to their young children.

Literacy for Health
A lack of awareness, rooted in illiteracy, plays a negative role in many
health issues. In Egypt, literacy workers integrate personal health and
environmental awareness into literacy sessions. An accelerated learning
program in Afghanistan includes health information and offers training for
future women healthcare workers. In Bolivia, community volunteers teach
two-tier literacy courses—first achieving basic literacy in a student’s
native language, then in Spanish.

Literacy for Economic Self-Sufficiency
The ability to earn a living is inextricably linked to literacy. A rural
program in Burkina Faso promotes job skills and life-long learning.
Literacy instruction in Brazil is a prerequisite for a jobs training
program. In India, literacy is included as a component of womens’ self-help
group"

These three themes have long played a large role in the work of adult
literacy educators here in the United States with a focus on family
literacy, health literacy, and workplace literacy. However, notable for its
absence in the United States has been the "country-level leadership"  with
policies and funding for adult literacy education in the very government
which Mrs. Laura Bush, represents  as the First Lady.

Moving from a lifelong education policy to a multiple Life Cycles education
policy recognizes that all children have a right to educated parents, that
increasing parent’s education can influence children’s literacy
intergenerationally, provide better health care for adults and their
families, and provide for economic growth and security for adults, their
families, communities and nations.

Hopefully, the White House Conference on Global Literacy will provide a
vision for the federal government in the United States to provide policies
and funding for adult literacy education which will move the nation from
below poverty level funding of some $200 per adult enrollee, to a level
that will make possible the achievement of global standards of literacy for
all of the citizens of the United States.

Thomas G. Sticht
International Consultant in Adult Education
2062 Valley View Blvd.
El Cajon, CA 92019-2059
Tel/fax: (619) 444-9133
Email: tsticht at aznet.net