United Nations Launches Literacy Decade

“Gathering in the historic New York Public Library with its
100 miles of books, First Lady Laura Bush, U.N. officials, and President Natsag Bagabandi of Mongolia February 13 launched the United Nations Literacy Decade.”

“The U.N. General Assembly declared 2003 to 2012 the Literacy Decade to address the needs of 860 million adults and 113 million children who are illiterate and give impetus to efforts to reduce the persistently high rate of illiteracy worldwide. The U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is the U.N. agency coordinating
activities for the decade.” (from The Department of State)