Seminar on Functional Illiteracy in Industrialized Countries (Ottenstein, Austria, May 30-June 3, 1989). Final Report and Recommendations = Seminaire sue l'analphabetisme fonctionnel dans des pays industrialises (Ottenstein, Autriche, 30 mai-3 juin 1989). Rapport final et recommandations.

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  • Additional Information
    • Peer Reviewed:
      N
    • Source:
      69
    • Abstract:
      The seminar on "Functional Illiteracy" was planned as a follow-up to the "Workshop of Specialists in Europe on Functional Illiteracy" held in December 1986, organized by the United Nation's Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO) Institute for Education. Representatives of 17 countries and UNESCO, the International Institute for Children's Literature and Reading Research, and the International Reading Association gathered at the 1989 seminar which began with a wish that the deliberations of the meeting be a genuine contribution to the development of literacy in the European region. Other opening presentations focused on illiteracy in the world perspective and introduced the main points of discussion. The right to literacy was emphasized, and a definition of functional literacy was adopted. Causes and contributing factors of functional literacy were discussed: school, personal factors, and cultural institutions and products. Means to identify functional illiterates were identified, including mass media, churches, social workers, schools, vocational training centers, services for the unemployed, and posters. The discussion on strategies for the prevention and eradication of functional illiteracy addressed prevention of illiteracy among the young and the fight against illiteracy among adults. Global and integrated strategies appeared to be essential tools for success in promoting literacy. An important part of strategies to prevent illiteracy was to be implemented inside the school system. Many initiatives were to be launched in cooperation with the community and parents. An essential part of adult literacy strategy was the recognition by governments of the right for all adults to literacy education. Recommendations were made to form the basis of activities during International Literacy Year. (A participants' list is appended. A French language version is included.) (YLB)
    • Publication Date:
      1993
    • Accession Number:
      ED354301