Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is home to a vibrant youth and adult population with around one-seventh of the world’s population living in the region. Yet, SSA accounts for almost half of all youth with low literacy and more than a quarter of adults with low literacy globally. Clearly, with decades of limited progress in literacy rates and despite claims of renewed commitment and coordinated action across Africa, new, innovative ways of expanding adult literacy and lifelong learning opportunities need to be explored.
Although they are often overlooked by policymakers, intergenerational approaches to literacy and learning have huge potential across a range of agendas and particularly for disadvantaged and vulnerable families.
In today’s digital world, information and communication technologies (ICTs) are constantly shaping the way people live, learn and develop. Used creatively, they can bring sustainable prospects for literacy and numeracy learning.
Local communities have an indispensable role to play in supporting people’s learning and development and in creating societies that are engaged, inclusive and sustainable.