This Friday is International Literacy Day. This year’s theme is “Promoting literacy for a world in transition: Building the foundation for sustainable and peaceful societies”. How can literacy help create sustainable and peaceful societies?
Literacy isn't just about teaching people to read: media literacy is essential to understanding what a piece of information says, where it comes from, what the underlying message might be. In our increasingly connected world, digital literacy is important for knowing where to find information and how to communicate it using digital tools. For people in humanitarian crises, literacy is especially important.
What is literacy?
Literacy is not only about reading and writing. At least, it’s not only that anymore – with the importance of technology in our everyday lives, it requires a broader definition. UNESCO defines literacy as ‘a means of identification, understanding, interpretation, creation and communication’. It’s about having a critical mindset when engaging with information, wherever you find it.
We're so bombarded with information that it's sometimes hard to determine what's really important, what's reliable and how to understand it properly amid the constant stream of news alerts, information shared by your relatives on WhatsApp and social media.
When you’re on the move, these difficulties are made worse by the urgency, the danger and uncertainty that come with being displaced.
How do displaced people use information?
Displaced people use information to learn about their new living environment throughout their relocation and transition. With information, they can undertake education, reach out for help, compare their old and new situations, share stories, and get engaged in local activities.
It can be as essential as knowing what are the ‘rules’ of their new living environment – what their rights and responsibilities are. It can be as simple as finding bus times and stops; in a new place, it can allow for more mobility, opportunities and integration. Information is an opportunity to gain independence.
Why is literacy important in humanitarian crises?
When you’re forced to flee, every piece of information matters. Where to get help? What route to take? Asylum-seekers are increasingly relying on digital devices to plan and navigate their journey and to stay in contact with their loved ones and essential contacts for their travel. For many, smartphones play such an important role, it’s “just as important as water and food”, studies say.
For many people in humanitarian crises, fake news can have a very dangerous impact, from scams to labor exploitation and human trafficking. It's important for displaced people to adopt a critical approach when using digital technologies, and to be wary of misinformation.
“Recently, I saw a news article about people who had been told that if they surrendered themselves to authorities at the border, they would give you free access to asylum. It was very sad, because it was a lie. People were chained in a bus ready to send them back.”
Gabriela, Designer on the Information Diffusion project in Latin America.
