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The UNESCO Regional Office for Southern Africa (ROSA) will convene a regional webinar on 10 September 2021 to commemorate this year’s  under the theme, ‘Literacy for human-centered recovery: Narrowing the digital divide’.

The webinar seeks to share knowledge and experiences regarding equitable, inclusive and effective distance and digital literacy learning for youth and adults with no or low literacy skills. It will explore the interplay between literacy and digital skills and ways to integrate digital skills into literacy teaching and learning. The webinar further provides a platform to celebrate the of South Africa. Puku won the prize for its programme, ‘Using digital technologies to promote children's literature in South Africa's indigenous languages’.

The COVID-19 crisis has been a reminder of the need for lifelong learning systems to evolve and become digital. For continued learning in the midst of the pandemic, use of alternative learning modes becomes imperative. The emerging digital tools and approaches are making it possible for continued learning. Thus, clear action is needed in terms of policy and practice to promote continued learning. 

During the webinar, UNESCO ROSA will unveil country reports on the literacy situation as regards policies and practice in the region. The country reports highlight areas for attention such as inadequate state funding for literacy programmes, need for systematic training of literacy facilitators/tutors, and limited or no use of ICTs and new technologies in literacy programmes. With the COVID-19 pandemic affecting countries in the region, the ‘new normal’ demands blending online learning with the face-to-face teaching and learning, including youth and adult literacy at both national and regional levels. 

The expected participants are policy makers in Ministries of Education in charge of literacy programmes; other relevant ministries central to literacy programmes; education practitioners, researchers and experts working on literacy programmes; representatives of organisations working on promoting literacy; and civil society organizations. 

Register to participate.

Read the UNESCO Director General's Message .