Indonesian Organizations Invited to Improve World Literacy

JAKARTA, Indonesia – “All Children Reading: A Grand Challenge for Development” invites businesses, social enterprises, entrepreneurs, non-profit organizations and academic institutions in Indonesia to take part in a global competition to improve world literacy through innovative ideas. The $20 million program aims to support sustainable and cost-effective innovations that will improve children’s literacy in low-income countries.

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Australia Agency for International Development (AusAID) in partnership with World Vision, and the U.S. Department of Education launched this initiative on November 18, 2011 in Washington, DC.

While national literacy rates are high in Indonesia, there are pockets of disparity. The Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS-RI) 2010 Report places country-wide literacy rates around 93%, but there is substantial variation among provinces, including only 69% literacy in Papua and 88% in South Sulawesi, for example. Such communities could benefit greatly from the innovative ideas and approaches that are just waiting to be developed. Therefore, these four partners strongly encourage Indonesian organizations to submit proposals.

USAID Mission Director Glenn Anders commented, “As part of the U.S. – Indonesia Comprehensive Partnership, we are helping Indonesia improve reading, math and science skills which will lead to better futures for millions of children.”

“Indonesia has a strong record on achieving literacy. This is an opportunity to share successes with other countries and trial innovative new approaches,” said Jacqui De Lacy, AusAID Senior Representative in Indonesia. “Australia is pleased to be part of an innovative global effort to help children worldwide read and write.”

“Our goal is to help children, especially girls, gain access to excellent early childhood and primary education by strengthening community involvement and fostering an effective environment for learning,” said Kent Hill, Senior Vice President of International Programs at World Vision. “We are hopeful that All Children Reading will not only improve reading instruction, but will instill a passion for reading and a lifelong desire for learning among millions of children in developing nations.”

The competition encourages organizations from around the world to submit their ideas on innovations in teaching and learning materials, and better education data to improve decision-making, transparency and accountability. If Indonesian applicants are successful, pilot programs may be implemented in Indonesia or in other developing countries.

The submission period will close on January 31, 2012 at 2 p.m. Eastern Standard time in the U.S. Interested applicants please visit www.allchildrenreading.org for additional information.

Media enquiries: please contact USAID Outreach Specialist Danumurthi Mahendra, at +6221 34359384 or [email protected]