UNESCO-sponsored Regional Conference on "Literacy in the Region: Strategies for the '90s", December 2-7, 1990, Kingston, Jamaica: Final report and draft plan of action

Abstract

A UNESCO-sponsored conference on literacy was convened to: 1) establish a working definition for functional literacy relevant to the Caribbean; 2) develop strategies aimed at eradicating illiteracy by the year 2000, or achieving a substantial reduction in illiteracy; 3) assess skills for the production of materials for adult literacy; 4) develop strategies for linking literacy efforts with the attainment of skills, and 5) develop a draft plan for the International Decade of Literacy. A total of 53 persons from 10 Caribbean countries participated. The 14 formal sessions of the conference included a brief review of literacy in the region, technical presentations, workshop sessions, a roundtable discussion on literacy in the workplace, and an address by Jamaica's Minister of Education, on "Education for All--Implications for Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Countries." The draft action plan devised at the conference included a mission statement; a definition of functional literacy; and the recognition of needs in the areas of research, public awareness planning, organizational structure, training, infrastructure, budget considerations, motivation and recruitment, mobilization of interests, situational analysis, and evaluation