More than 880 million adults, two thirds of them women, are illiterate. Of the estimated 130 million young children not attending primary school in developing countries, two thirds are girls. In an event to mark International Literacy Day (ILD), the World Bank and its partners call attention to the fact that despite tremendous gains in literacy in recent years, much remains to be done to ensure that people around the world, especially the poor, have access to basic education and lifelong learning opportunities.

This year, the ILD event in Washington, DC, organized in partnership with thirteen development and education organizations, is being held at the Library of Congress. The goal of our involvement in ILD is to focus attention on worldwide literacy issues and needs through partnership, recognize the vital importance of literacy to society, and highlight the Bank's support for the Education for All (EFA) initiative.

World Bank's Education Links:
• Adult Outreach Education - Basic Education Cluster (19K PDF)
• Adult Basic and Continuing Education Project Information (152 PDF)
• Learn more about the World Bank Group's work in Education
• Read the news release Education and Literacy Organizations Prepare to Converge for International Literacy Day

Partners in the 2000 International Literacy Day Event include:

• The Association of American Publishers
• The Center for the Book, Library of Congress
• International Literacy Institute
• International Reading Association
• National Institute for Literacy
• Reach Out and Read
• Reading Is Fundamental
• SIL International
• United Nation's Children's Fund
• United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization
• United States Agency for International Development
• United States Department of Education
• The World Bank