Literacy is, with good reason, an Area of Focus for The Rotary Foundation. Literacy impacts our individual growth, as well as our communities and economy.
If a country is able to improve its average literacy score by 1%, it is estimated that it will generate an increase in labour productivity above 2 % and a higher relative per capita GDP of 1.5% (Coulombe, S. & Tremblay, J. (2005). Public investment in skills) This translates into millions of dollars in our area alone.
Literacy is not just about producing employable citizens. Our world is changing quickly. Globally we are becoming more connected. To develop a strong workforce, as well as a strong democracy, people need foundational skills in reading, writing, numeracy and working with digital technologies.
Literacy does not just give us access to facts or skills. Once an individual is able to decode the squiggles that make our written language, use digital tools and, has numeracy skills they are better able to successfully participate in our society. The basic skills are the “Velcro” to accessing, evaluating, analyzing and communicating complex ideas. Literacy allows communication so all people are able to make informed decisions, and participate in local and global communities.
District 5020 Rotarians are active in supporting literacy initiatives. Have a look at the impressive list of projects we have been involved in by going to District 5020 ClubRunner> Member Login> left hand column> District Literacy Resources. Projects have been divided into; Club Literacy, Funding Focused and Front Line. There are suggestions for short-term and long-term projects that could be a fit for your club. Check it out and get your club’s Literacy On.