QuoteProject
It is intolerable that around 1 in 5 of the world's adults are illiterate. How can we build equitable information societies or thriving democracies if so many remain without the basic tools of literacy?
Koichiro Matsuura
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote emphasizes the importance of literacy for building fair societies and functioning democracies.

Koichiro Matsuura highlights a significant global issue: a large portion of the adult population is illiterate, which poses a serious barrier to creating equitable information societies and thriving democracies. Literacy is foundational for participation in society, and the quote calls attention to the urgent need for educational initiatives to address this challenge, ensuring that everyone has access to the essential skills required to engage meaningfully in their communities and the political process.

Themes

LiteracyEducationDemocracyEquityInformation

In practice

Example use cases

In a speech advocating for educational reforms, this quote could be used to emphasize the need for increased literacy programs.

More from Koichiro Matsuura

As an empowerment right, education is the primary vehicle by which economically and socially marginalised adults and children can lift themselves out of poverty, and obtain the means to participate fully in their communities.
Koichiro MatsuuraRead

Similar quotes

Without education, we are weaker economically. Without economic power, we are weaker in terms of national security. No great military power has ever remained so without great economic power.
Jon MeachamRead
I run the Actor's Studio on the West Coast, and one of the things I say all the time to the people I teach - many of whom are acting teachers - is that an actor needs to make choices that make him present.
Martin LandauRead
When you give your children knowledge, you are telling them what to think. When you give your children wisdom, you do not tell them what to know, or what is true, but rather, how to get to their own truth.
Neale Donald WalschRead
Do not try to satisfy your vanity by teaching a great many things. Awaken people's curiosity. It is enough to open minds; do not overload them. Put there just a spark. If there is some good inflammable stuff, it will catch fire.
Anatole FranceRead
When I read about the way in which library funds are being cut and cut, I can only think that American society has found one more way to destroy itself.
Isaac AsimovRead
Some are bewildered in the maze of schools, And some made coxcombs nature meant but fools.
Alexander PopeRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.