Yaounde: Cameroon to host World Literacy Day 2024.

This was after an audience with the Minister Delegate to the Minister of External Relations in charge of Cooperation with the Commonwealth, Felix Mbayu. Minister Mbayu granted an audience to Coustère on July 5, in Yaounde.

The 2024 edition of the ILD will be celebrated on the theme: “Education and Multilanguage: The contribution of literacy to peace and mutual understanding”. It is scheduled to take place on September 9, and 10, in Yaounde.

Speaking after the audience, Coustère disclosed that the peculiarity of commemorative activities marking the ILD is to remind policy makers, practitioners and the public of the importance of literacy for creating more literature as well as a just, peaceful and sustainable society.

The Regional Director of UNESCO also appreciated efforts by Cameroon in promoting literacy. He said the government of Cameroon has put in place various policies to promote and encourage learning especially among young Cameroonians.

“The Minister did us an honour by receiving us when we are two months to a major event which Cameroon will host,” Coustère stated. 

With regards to the theme, the Regional Director pointed out that Cameroon is well advanced as far as literacy is concerned. 

He equally expressed gratitude to the country for treating the event with utmost importance and the President of the Republic, Paul Biya, for giving his accord for Cameroon to host the event.

According to Coustère, UNESCO will continue to work with the government of Cameroon and other partners to seek solutions to the challenges facing humanity in the domain of education.

He said the issue of literacy is a key component of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the United Nations Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development.

On his part, Minister Mbayu assured the Regional Director that Cameroon is ready to host such an event as necessary logistics are guaranteed.

Both officials, besides discussions on the upcoming ILD, reviewed the activities of UNESCO in Cameroon. They also and discussed on avenues for more future cooperation.

The International Literacy Day was instituted by UNESCO during its 14th general conference on October 26, 1966. 

The 2023 edition was commemorated on the theme: “Promoting literacy for a world in transition: Building the foundation for sustainable and peaceful societies”.

This story was first published in The Guardian Post issue No:3169 of Monday July 15, 2024