[NLA] Launching International Literacy Decade

[Thomas Sticht]

Free Spreaking Presentations for 2003

INTERNATIONAL LITERACY DECADE TO BE LAUNCHED IN ONE MONTH

The year 2003 is a special year for the world’s community of adult
literacy educators. During the year

The United Nations launches the International Literacy Decade on February 13

The United States renews its membership in UNESCO after an 18 year absence

The International Reading Association Literacy Award will be offered for
the 25th year

To celebrate and advance the cause of adult literacy education around the
world  I am offering up to FOUR FREE plenary session educational
presentations at international, national, regional, or state conferences.
Sponsors will pay only the costs of travel and accommodations.

For this special year of adult literacy, I have a one hour presentation
entitled:

The World of Adult Illiteracy in the 21st Century:
Challenges for the International Literacy Decade

The presentation discusses the history of international adult literacy
activities since the founding of UNESCO in the mid-1940’s, the current
state of adult illiteracy in the five major regions of the world,  and my
work with the UNESCO Literacy Prize Jury over the last 24 years. This
includes a summary of findings about what makes up successful literacy
programs from the study of more than 600 applications for UNESCO literacy
prizes from around the world. In addition, to provide a more personal and
intimate perspective, the presentation includes anecdotes based on my
conversations over the years with fellow Jury members who have made
distinguished contributions to the field of adult literacy, including

Malcolm Adiseshiah of India
[Author of The Functionalities of Literacy;
former President of the Jury]

Rodolfo Baron Castro of El Salvador
[Author of Lengua y Cultura en las Indias Españolas]

Paulo Freire of Brazil
[Author of Pedagogy of the Oppressed]

James Robbins (Roby) Kidd of Canada
[Author of How Adults Learn]

Martha Mvungi of Tanzania
[Author of Three Solid Stones; Yasin in Trouble;
former President of the Jury]

This special lecture for 2003 will also include recommendations for

Advocacy, grounded in the United Nation’s
Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Policy, situated in global commitments to
UNESCO’s World Declaration of Education for All

Practice, based on 25 years of work by winners of
UNESCO’s International Literacy Prizes

The 2003 presentation series follows similar speaking engagements in the
last two years in Canada (Saskatchewan, Manitoba), New Zealand, United
Kingdom (England, Wales), and the USA (California, Florida, Idaho,
Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Tennessee,
Washington).  In these earlier events, some sponsors have used the
presentation to raise funds and/or to attract media or foundation
attention for advocacy purposes.

This advance offer is made on a first come basis. Potential sponsors
should contact me as soon as possible to arrange a presentation.

Tom 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