The World Literacy Foundation has urged leaders of governments and education to pledge support for the new Oxford Declaration announced at the World Literacy Summit in Oxford, United Kingdom. Over 250 delegates from 60 countries contributed to the Oxford Declaration at the World Literacy Summit.

The CEO of the World Literacy Foundation Andrew Kay said, “We have created a pathway whose main purpose is to eradicate illiteracy by the year 2020.

The Declaration requires commitment and investment from the global community on five key priority areas. These priority areas include: development of leadership in the literacy sector, quality of education, targeted advocacy, improved measurements of learning outcomes and evidence based strategies.

Kay issued a plea to governments and the community to be pro-active in achieving the goals of the Oxford Declaration.

“Illiteracy is linked to many poor life outcomes, such as poverty, unemployment, social exclusion, crime, long-term illness, lost productivity in business and reduced income earning capacity in a job. The Oxford Declaration embodies our commitment to achieving literacy through quality education. This in turn will help build the economic and social capital of all countries,” he said.

“It is obvious the Millennium Development Goals for education and literacy will not be met by the 2015 deadline. Although some progress has been made, we need to take more decisive action. About one in five people across the world are functionally illiterate. This shocking statistic means their literacy skills are so poor that they cannot complete tasks such as reading a medicine or food label or filling out a job or bank loan application,” the World Literacy Foundation CEO noted.

In conclusion Kay said that illiteracy needs to be treated as a disease that we are aiming to eradicate. “We need to understand that early intervention can avert a lifetime of hardship, poverty and pain for a child, young person or adult who is struggling to read or write.”

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“Dona un Libro,” or “Donate a Book.” This simple statement is carrying the weight of an internationally impactful campaign against illiteracy.

In celebration of International World Book Day, April 23, 2012, Grupo Nelson, the Spanish-language division of Thomas Nelson, has begun its fight with illiteracy rates in the world’s Spanish-speaking cultures. ‘Dona un Libro’ encourages readers to donate new or used books in hopes of, “inspiring the world, one new reader at a time.”

With product distributed in over 20 Spanish-speaking nations, “‘Dona un Libro’ is a project that goes beyond Grupo Nelson,” states Claudia Duncan, Marketing Director for Grupo. “It is a project of social responsibility. We have been given amazing partnership opportunities with organizations who are interested in helping those who thirst for the knowledge and inspiration found in books.”

Primarily focusing on Central and South America, Grupo Nelson has worked with distributors and retailers to set up donation drop off points for consumers at their local stores. The retailers then choose a deserving organization in their area that will benefit from the books; a community library, an orphanage or even a ministry—all to help provide an opportunity for education and entertainment.

With 450 drop bins already reserved and ready for distribution, communities in Puerto Rico, Mexico, Colombia, Guatemala, Venezuela, Argentina, Chile and Paraguay are partnering with their local bookstores to celebrate the gift of literacy on April 23, 2012. “The bookstores will be the champions of this campaign,” Duncan continued. “Their effort is what will really drive consumers to come out and help make a difference in their local communities.”

“I am anxious to see the results of our first big World Book Day campaign,” stated Larry Downs, Vice President and Publisher, Grupo Nelson. “I am pleased with the reactions we have received from the local bookstores abroad who wish to partner with us to help inspire lives.”

“I believe there is a need in our industry to work together to inspire the world. This is why I am excited about the project,” Duncan said. “We have the opportunity to celebrate books and the gift of literacy while also making a difference in the Spanish-speaking communities across the globe.”

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