‘Once you learn to read, you will be forever free”, wrote Frederick Douglass in the nineteenth century, an emancipated black American slave, champion of the abolitionist cause and author of several books. This call for emancipation through reading, and more generally by mastering basic skills – literacy and numeracy – has universal scope. Literacy is the first step towards freedom, towards liberation from social and economic constraints. It is the prerequisite for development, both individual and collective. It reduces poverty and inequality, creates wealth, and helps to eradicate problems of nutrition and public health…
… On this International Day, I call on all stakeholders in the world of education, and beyond, because it is a cause that concerns us all, to mobilize so that the ideal of a fully literate global society becomes more of a reality”.
(Audrey Azoulay, Message for International Literacy Day, 8 September 2018)
For over 210 years, Brigidine Sisters have been committed to educating young people and others and realize the importance of mastering basic skills in literacy and numeracy.
On this day, we give thanks for the many opportunities we’ve been able to offer in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions in different countries.
We pray for all teachers who continue to carry on this great work and recommit to ensuring opportunities for learning and development are made available for those currently deprived of such gifts.
