UNESCO Cairo and Egypt collaborate on literacy initiatives

International Literacy Day 2023 witnessed an enriching collaboration in Egypt as UNESCO Cairo, in alliance with the Adult Education Authority and Regional Centre for Adult Education Sirs El Layyan, marked the occasion.

Under the guidance of the Egyptian Ministry of Education and Technical Education, the celebration gathered stakeholders from the Adult Education sector.

Held at the UNESCO Cairo premises, the event was graced by prominent figures such as Dr. Nuria Sanz, officer-in-charge of the UNESCO Regional Office in Cairo; H.E Dr. Reda Hegazy, Minister of Education and Technical Education; Dr. Mohamed Yehia Nassef, president of the Adult Education Authority; and Dr. Khaled Khedr, director of the UNESCO Regional Centre for Adult Education Sirs El Layyan.

Highlighting the strides Egypt has taken in increasing literacy, particularly amid global transitions, the discussions illuminated Egypt’s pioneering efforts, including:

1. The ongoing formulation of a national Lifelong Learning Strategy to create learning avenues for all, primarily targeting the underserved populations.
2. Egypt’s distinction as the inaugural nation among five pilot countries for the Global Education Coalition and Global Alliance for Literacy initiative. This initiative aims to bolster the technological expertise of literacy educators in instructional settings.

Aiding in the strategy’s construction, UNESCO Cairo has joined forces with the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning in Hamburg. This partnership facilitates the nominated national team’s engagement in holistic workshops designed to craft the lifelong learning strategy.

Furthermore, UNESCO Cairo has generously extended its technical and logistical expertise to the Egyptian Ministry of Education and Technical Education.

In a groundbreaking move, the UNESCO Cairo Office introduced the “Women, Family & Community” initiative. Designed to empower Egyptian women, the initiative resonates with the goals of gender equality and sustainable development. Addressing the unique needs of disadvantaged Egyptian women, the initiative endeavors to equip them, and by extension their families and communities, with the requisite knowledge to flourish in today’s world.

With literacy and numeracy established as pillars of sustainable development, such collaborations champion personal empowerment and foster a culture of continuous learning. These foundational skills pave the way for enhanced employment opportunities, environmental awareness, and an elevated quality of life. This collaboration between UNESCO Cairo and the Ministry of Education encapsulates these shared ambitions.