[NLA] United States Rejoins UNESCO

[Thomas Sticht]

National Literacy Advocates Colleagues:
Each year beginning in 1979 I have represented the International Reading
Association on UNESCO's International Literacy Prize Jury that selects
UNESCO's literacy prize winners. I recall when the United States withdrew
from UNESCO in 1984. It was a sad occasion for me and for U.S. citizens
working at UNESCO House in Paris. I was therefore particulary pleased when
President Bush recently announced that the U.S. was rejoining UNESCO. This
offers the U.S. a great opportunity to help advance science, culture and
education, especially adult literacy education, world wide once again.
Following is a news release from the International Reading Association
that expresses the welcome news by the President and Executive Director of
the International Reading Association. For more information about the
International Reading Association, visit its web site at www.reading.org.
Tom Sticht


International Reading Association Applauds President Bush’s Announcement
of the U.S. Return to UNESCO

Following an 18-year absence, the United States has returned to UNESCO
                                                                                        For
Release:
September
16,
2002

NEWARK, DELAWARE, USA—“We are delighted to hear of President Bush’s
official announcement to return the United States to the
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO),
after an 18-year absence,” according to Jerry L. Johns,
president of the International Reading Association. “We have strongly held
that UNESCO is an organization that can and does
increase the number of people who are literate. This is a time when all
countries need to stand together and strengthen education
and literacy efforts around the world.”

On September 12, UNESCO’s Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura announced to
the press that he “warmly welcomed the President’s
announcement” and gave his full support to assist in reintegrating the
United States into the life and work of the organization. He
also said, “The United States was a founding member of UNESCO, helping to
shape its 1945 Constitution upholding fundamental
human rights, the free flow of ideas and information, scientific and
cultural cooperation, and educational opportunity for all.”

Alan E. Farstrup, executive director of the International Reading
Association, along with other representatives from many leading
educational, scientific, and professional organizations, sent letters to
President Clinton and President Bush, urging that the United
States rejoin UNESCO. “Very few actions you can undertake can have as much
effect on the world for as little political or financial
cost as restoring America’s role in UNESCO,” Farstrup said in a letter to
President Bush last year. “UNESCO offers the United States
a critical tool in our foreign affairs because it expands our ability to
increase the number of people who are able to participate in a
democratic society and a free-market economy. No nation can participate
effectively in the world economy or become a stable
democracy without a citizenry that is literate and free.”

The United States had withdrawn from UNESCO during the Reagan
administration due to political problems that have long since
been resolved. “The reentry of the United States into UNESCO demonstrates
outstanding leadership in international cooperation in
areas that are of great importance for peace and development: education,
science, culture, and communication,” Farstrup added.

The International Reading Association has also supported effective,
ongoing professional development in many countries including
the United States, Eastern Europe, and Africa. The Association’s wide
range of projects includes Reading For All—A Pan-African
Voice for Literacy; Reading and Writing for Critical Thinking (RWCT);
Strengthening Professional International Networks in Latin
America and Africa (SPIN); and the Urban Diversity Commission. The
Association also hosts a biennial World Congress on
Reading. In 2004 the World Congress will be held in Manila, Philippines.

For more information on these and other Association activities, go to the
advocacy and global outreach section of the Association’s
website. For information on professional development resources, visit the
online bookstore.

The International Reading Association is a community of reading
professionals with more than 80,000 members in nearly 100
countries dedicated to promoting higher achievement levels in literacy,
reading, and communication by continually advancing the
quality of instruction.





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