UNESCO Director Leads World Literacy Day Celebration in Cameroon

By Marie N. Carnu

The Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, and delegates from over 50 countries, attended the world literacy day commemoration in Yaounde yesterday, during which she highlighted the importance of literacy in promoting multilingual education, mutual understanding, and peace.

Prime Minister, Joseph Dion Ngute, represented President Paul Biya at the celebration of the 58th edition of International Literacy Day, held at the Yaoundé Conference Centre.

Marking the occasion, Yaoundé was selected as the host city for this year’s event, which runs from September 9 to 10, 2024.

Although International Literacy Day is typically observed on September 8, the main celebration in Cameroon extended into two days, centered around the theme, “Promoting Multilingual Education: Literacy for Mutual Understanding and Peace.”

Azoulay arrived in Cameroon on September 8 to participate in the celebration, which features a global conference, the UNESCO International Literacy Prizes award ceremony, and parallel events such as the annual Global Alliance for Literacy meeting.

Additional sessions focused on addressing literacy in multilingual contexts and exploring ways to improve policies, learning systems, and literacy programs to achieve sustainable peace.

Key figures at the event included Cameroon’s Minister of Basic Education, Prof. Laurent Serge Etoundi Ngoa, chairman of the National Commission for UNESCO, and Paul Coustere, Regional Director of the UNESCO Office in Yaoundé.

The event also aimed to spotlight literacy efforts in Cameroon and across Africa, aligning with the African Union’s Year of Education initiative.

©Mimi Mefo Info