Cameroon hosted the 2024 International Literacy Day celebrations in Yaoundé from September 9-10, under the theme "Promoting Multilingual Education: Literacy for Mutual Understanding and Peace." Led by Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute and UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, the event emphasized the crucial role of multilingual education in fostering global peace.
Prof. Saïdou Madougou, Director of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation at the African Union Commission, delivered a keynote address. He reaffirmed the African Union's commitment to education as a tool for sustainable development, highlighting 2024 as the "Year of Education" and outlining strategies to promote quality education across Africa.
The event featured a global conference focused on improving literacy policies, strengthening lifelong learning, and fostering effective multilingual literacy practices. Side meetings included gatherings of the Global Alliance of Literacy and discussions on measuring literacy and alternative education methods.
A key highlight was the UNESCO International Literacy Prizes ceremony, which recognized six outstanding literacy programs from Austria, Egypt, Ghana, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Panama. These initiatives were honored for their contributions to mother-language literacy and digital tools for rural and out-of-school youth. The awardees received medals, diplomas, and monetary prizes in recognition of their innovative work in promoting literacy worldwide.
This year’s celebration, coinciding with the African Union’s Year of Education, underscored the importance of literacy in building peaceful and sustainable societies. It provided a platform to showcase literacy efforts in Cameroon and across Africa, highlighting the power of multilingual education in promoting mutual understanding and progress.
