UNESCO Strategy for Youth and Adult Literacy and its Action Plan (2020-2025)

I. Introduction

1. The international community has set an ambitious 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development1, with education and learning central to its achievement. The vision of the Incheon Declaration2, Education 2030, is fully captured by Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4) “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all”. Education 2030 devotes considerable attention to literacy and adult learning including through Target 4.6 and related indicative strategies.

2. By 205 EX/Decision 6.III, the Executive Board requested the Director-General to review, update and improve the vision and strategy for literacy to contribute to SDG 4 – Education 2030, and to present it at its 207th session, with a view to transmitting it to the General Conference at its 40th session. The present document therefore contains the draft UNESCO Strategy for Youth and Adult Literacy (2020- 2025). The Strategy was developed through an inclusive and participatory process, including research and analysis of key trends, online consultation of Member States and expert meetings.