From September 6 to October 13 at the Official Documents Department (room 207) runs a subject book exhibition “Literacy. Education. Culture.” timed to the International Literacy Day.

This event has been observed annually on September 8 since 1966. It was established by UNESCO by the suggestion offered by the World Conference of Ministers of Education on the Eradication of Illiteracy (Teheran, September 1965).

Observing the International Literacy Day society should remember that about the fifth part of adults in the world are deprived of the right to literacy. Four billion people can read and write. In comparison with the last years, the amount of literate people in the world has increased. In 1980 only about 70 % of the world population were literate, while in 2000 their amount increased to 80 %. However, considering the number of illiterate people today, the problem is far from solved, and the struggle against illiteracy still remains a huge and difficult issue. More than 759 million adults remain illiterate; more than 72 million children do not go to school. Besides, in a number of cases the level of children and adult education is inappropriate for the modern information society.

Literacy is the basis of development and the source of the well-being for each nation. This is the necessary precondition for a healthy, fair and prospering world. Increase of the level of literacy is of great importance for achievement of economic growth, eradication of poverty and maintenance of public and political life of society. Literacy is indispensable for the major vital skills of a person, enabling them to face the challenges of life. The precious gift of literacy can become the basis for development only in the event that it is constantly maintained by programs of continuing education, different kinds of professional training and formation of "the literate environment” in which literacy becomes the pledge of prosperity.

Confirming the importance of general literacy for human development and global problems solving, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the resolution A/RES/56/116 and proclaimed the UN Literacy Decade which has begun on January 1, 2003. Literacy is indispensable for achievement of the development goals stated in the Millennium Declaration. The distribution of literacy in the world means not only its appreciation but also practical activities, activation of national and international efforts aimed at improvement of the level of literacy all over the world.

The Republic of Belarus has entered the XXI century with a developed education system. In Belarus, the level of literacy among adult population and youth, the number of children at elementary and high school and the amount of students at universities corresponds to those in the developed countries of Europe and America. According to the Human Development Report of the United Nations Development Program, the Republic of Belarus has the highest adult literacy rate in the CIS (99,6 %), and also one of the highest youth literacy rate in the world (99,8 %).

The offered exhibition comprises about 100 documents in the Russian, English and German languages: books, periodicals, UN mimeographed materials, brochures and booklets.

The exposition includes the subject sections as follow:

literacy and education for sustainable development. UN Literacy Decade. UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development;
international legal documents on education. The UNESCO program “Education for All”;
international and regional cooperation for education. International exchange;
from primary education to universities. Literacy promotion and basic education for adults;
educational system and its improvement in the Republic of Belarus.

The exhibition is designed for specialists in education, professors and teachers, students and everyone who is interested in the contemporary issues of education.

Useful links

UNESCO