Literacy Challenge Forum’ Launches Inaugural Session in Dubai, Explores Challenges and Promising Solutions

• The event brings together prominent experts in literacy from around the region and the world.

The inaugural edition of the Literacy Challenge Forum launches today in Dubai, organised by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF), under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, and with directives from MBRF Chairman H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

The Forum is held on February 24-25, 2020, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). It aims to provide a holistic platform bringing together experts in literacy from all around the world to exchange experiences and expertise, strengthen collaboration, and come up with effective solutions to combat illiteracy in the Arab world.

The event’s theme, ‘Challenges and Solutions’, reflects the efforts undertaken by various countries to eliminate obstacles to literacy and teach reading and writing to targeted communities. It underlines the necessity of bringing efforts together and strengthening strategic partnerships with relevant entities in the region and the world.

The Forum explores international examples and modern best practices in adult education, shedding light on the experiences of individuals, organisations, and governments in literacy programmes, with a focus on their contributions in facing this issue that plagues numerous Arab nations.

The panel discussions bring together prominent speakers, representing literacy councils around the Arab world, as well as experts from UNDP and UNESCO, and a host of academics and specialists from academic institutions and universities in the Arab region.

The Forum explores illiteracy in Arab society along many pillars incluing ‘current state of illiteracy, adult learning, and education in the Arab world’, ‘lifelong learning – a contemporary vision’, ‘success stories in the Arab world’, and ‘showcasing experiences of pioneers in combatting illiteracy’.

The forum features workshops on regional and international studies on illiteracy, highlighting accomplishments of organisations and individuals working to eradicate illiteracy, modernise the education system, and develop projects to promote literacy around the world.