International Literacy day 2021
Can you imagine that there are over 773 million young people and adults globally who cannot read and write, with 250 million children failing to acquire basic literacy skills. There are more women who cannot read than men, and women are more often left behind in the digital environment, which is where much learning is now taking place. This situation is expected to worsen, as COVID-19 school disruptions have created so many more learning challenges. In many of the countries we are working in, schools have not re-opened.
Illiteracy figures are startling and this week we decided as a team to reflect on what we have managed to achieve through working together with our partners despite the challenges of Covid. We know we must keep up our commitment moving forward and encourage educators to keep working towards every child and adult everywhere accessing the opportunity of learning to read and write.
When we talk about digital learning, we often imagine everyone on-line. That is just not possible for all students and educators in countries such as Haiti, Jamaica, Sierra Leone and The Gambia for example. Here wi-fi connections are not accessible or affordable, especially in the rural areas and electricity every day is not a given.
We have had to work differently to support learning to continue in some places and we have achieved that by listening to our partners and working flexibly with them. Often it is not with the provision of new technology but by the use of solar radios and Positive Periods training to enable students to learn.
By supporting learning in mother tongue languages as we are doing with our partner Alfa Literacy, in Limonade, Haiti. Alfa is a community organization that provides people with a second chance to obtain a quality, officially-recognized, and comprehensive education to people with low or no literacy skills, in particular women and their communities.
Or by providing books in local languages that are contextual; supporting students and educators to share and write their own stories.
On the digital front we have been hosting a programme “Myths and Stories” consisting of 4 weekly webinars which have allowed students from Haiti, Sierra Leone, The Gambia and the United Kingdom to share stories online for the first time together, creating connection and understanding of themselves and others.
Piloting digital classrooms in The Gambia and Sierra Leone. The digital classroom allows the provision of inclusive programming for students and this complements book lending through the learning resource centre libraries.
Supporting literacy learning is not only about reading and writing, there are many ways you can support access to learning. Below are just some of the ways you can support access to education for all children everywhere.
The Steve Sinnott Foundation • September 10, 2021
A moment to be proud of and a reminder of why young people’s voices matter. Today, artwork created by students from UNESCO ASPnet UK schools on the theme of peace was presented to Pope Leo XIV at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, alongside artwork from young people in other countries. What an amazing opportunity for our students to have their creativity, ideas and hopes represented on an international stage. For me, this is what UNESCO ASPnet is about: creating opportunities for young people to connect across cultures, express themselves creatively, learn from one another and imagine a better future together. The power of young people’s creativity: their voices being part of an international conversation about education, peace, culture and our shared future. UNESCO’s programme for Pope Leo XIV’s visit specifically focused on education, artistic creation, AI, information integrity and peace. The work was part of a mural that brings together 80 original creations marking UNESCO’s 80th anniversary, produced as part of the "International Youth for Peace" competition organized by France TV and UNESCO.
Most of us want to leave the world a little better than we found it. Whether that's through the people we love, the values we pass on, or the causes we care about, we all hope our legacy will make a difference. One of the simplest ways to do that is by writing a will. This autumn, we are proud to be taking part in the Change Starts with a Will campaign, allowing our supporters to write or update their will free of charge through our trusted partner, Octopus Legacy. Why writing a will matters Writing a will isn't just about deciding who inherits your possessions. It's about making sure your wishes are respected and providing peace of mind for the people you care about. Having a will means you can: Protect the people you love. Make important decisions about your estate. Reduce uncertainty for your family. Leave a lasting gift to a cause that reflects your values. Many people put off writing a will, believing it's something to think about later in life. In reality, it's one of the most important documents you'll ever create. A legacy that supports education Steve Sinnott dedicated his life to championing education as a fundamental human right. His belief was simple but powerful: every child deserves the opportunity to learn, and every teacher deserves the support they need to inspire future generations. Today, we continue that mission by working with partners across the world to improve access to quality education, strengthen teaching and support communities where education can change lives. When you choose to leave a gift in your will to The Steve Sinnott Foundation, you're helping ensure that this work can continue for years to come. After taking care of family and friends, even a small gift could help provide learning opportunities, strengthen education systems and create brighter futures for generations to come. A gift that lasts beyond a lifetime Legacy gifts play an important role in helping charities plan for the future. Your support could help us continue investing in sustainable education projects, supporting teachers and ensuring more children have access to the education they deserve. It's a powerful way to ensure your values live on long into the future. Write your will for free As part of our Autumn 2026 campaign, we're offering supporters the opportunity to write or update their will free of charge through Octopus Legacy. There is no obligation to leave a gift to The Steve Sinnott Foundation, but we hope you'll consider remembering us after you've taken care of those closest to you. Together, we can continue Steve Sinnott's vision of a world where education changes lives. Find out more If you've been thinking about writing your will, there's never been a better time. Our free will service is available until 31 October 2026 , making it easy to protect the people you love while considering the lasting impact your legacy could have on education worldwide. https://octopuslegacy.com/online-will?channel=partner Change starts with a will. And together, we can help create a future where education is accessible to everyone.
Seeds of Hope are everywhere! “I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I arrived at Stage at the Lake…” But it was special to meet all of the Calderdale team in person, who had brought this four-day event together so successfully. Sometimes an event stays with you long after the final performance has finished. My visit to Stage at the Lake at the beautiful Shibden Hall in Calderdale was one of those occasions. As UNESCO ASPnet UK Coordinator, I was delighted to be invited as a guest, but what I experienced was much more than simply attending an event. Here, in the grounds of a house steeped in history, the past, present and future seemed to meet. The English Chamber Orchestra filled the setting with music, Northern Ballet brought movement and storytelling to life, and throughout there was a wonderful sense of creativity, community and possibility. And then there were the parklets; a unique gardening festival at Shibden Park celebrating community, creativity and the power of nature to bring people together. At its heart was a specially commissioned trail of ten micro show gardens, designed and built by community groups from across Calderdale. It was wonderful to see spaces where ideas, conversations and creativity were flourishing and connecting through Seeds of Hope. I cannot wait to see them transported to their ‘forever homes’. Standing there, I found myself thinking about what we mean when we talk about education, culture and hope.
