Update from UNESCO Associated Schools

Global Action Week

News from UNESCO Associated Schools

UNESCO is encouraging all members of UNESCO Associated Schools to get involved in the Global Action Week taking place 20-26 April. This annual worldwide advocacy campaign is organised by the Global Campaign for Education (GCE), an international coalition of non-governmental organisations and teacher unions. UNESCO is actively supporting the campaign to raise awareness of the Education for All agenda, which includes a global commitment to provide quality basic education for all children, youth and adults.

In This Issue

THE BIG READ

Global Action Week - THE BIG READ

In 2009, Global Action Week will focus on youth and adult literacy and lifelong learning with the slogan "Open Books - Open Doors". This campaign intends to send a strong signal on the importance of literacy and literate environments.

This year's key Global Action Week event is THE BIG READ on April 22nd which will take place in over 100 countries. In the UK, the Global Action Week is organised through the Send My Friend to School campaign. See the Send My Friend to School website http://www.sendmyfriend.org/the-big-read to get involved.

The theme for THE BIG READ is the importance of literacy and how the ability to read and write opens doors for all children. After reading inspiring words from influential people, including Nelson Mandela, Queen Rania of Jordan and Paulo Coehlo, pupils will be asked to write their own stories, speeches and poems and then read them out at a school-wide read & write-athon to an audience of MPs, teachers, parents and journalists. Pupils can then use the power of their words by sending all their work to the Prime Minister to remind him and other world leaders to keep their promises on education.

The "Open Books - Open Doors" campaign will highlight that:

Literacy is a basic right. It is a fundamental condition for being part of today's knowledge societies, and a key to reduce poverty and increase development.
Worldwide, some 776 million adults lack literacy skills, 75 million children are out of school and millions more leave school early without acquiring basic literacy and numeracy skills.
More political commitment, more effective literacy programs and more funding are required to make literacy a basic right for all.

We are always interested in hearing about your school's activities. Email Anne Breivik at abreivik@unesco.org.uk to share your experiences.

UNESCO Associated Schools in the UK is part of a global network of schools promoting quality education. The UK network supports the integration of international perspectives in schools and promotes the values of UNESCO, including human rights, mutual respect and cultural diversity.

We are eager to showcase activities related to the UNESCO Associated Schools network. If you have a story about your school you want to share, please contact Anne Breivik, UK National Coordinator (T: 020 7766 3460 / abreivik@unesco.org.uk).