Literacy is the skills and abilities that enable a person to read, write, communicate, and think critically. It includes skills in writing and reading, such as vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. Literacy develops across the lifespan—people learn to read and write in new and different ways on the job, in religious settings, and in different subject areas. In each new context, a learner may acquire new vocabulary, writing style, and purpose for communication. An individual’s literacy is shaped by social, cultural, and political context.
Conflict and Crisis
Conflict refers to a continuum ranging from a relatively stable environment to increasingly escalating tensions that may lead to change, such as institutionalized forms of social injustice, or direct physical or structural violence. Conflict is experienced differently across identity groups, geographic areas, and time. Crisis can be the result of conflict, violence, and natural disasters. Very often, conflict, violence, and crisis overlap, compounding the effects on populations. For example, during a war, illicit drug and weapons trade can increase, intensifying the violence and insecurity caused by the war. These factors combine to create highly insecure environments, challenging the abilities of schools and communities to provide a safe and effective learning environment for learners.
Last updated: May 07, 2014