Is literacy a human right?

Literacy should be understood within a rights-based approach and among principles of inclusion for human development. The rationale for recognising literacy as a right is the set of benefits it confers on individuals, families, communities and nations. Literacy is a right. It is implicit in the right to education. read more

This UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) statement about literacy sums it up: “Literacy is a fundamental human right and the foundation for lifelong learning. It is fully essential to social and human development in its ability to transform lives. read more

Literacy as a Human Right: Policy Choices and Future Prospects The preceding discussion has looked successively at the major international standard-setting instruments and early programs extending the right to education in general and the right to literacy in particular. read more