Illiteracy knows no borders.

Education isn't expensive when you consider the alternative. e

- Derek Bok, President, Harvard University 

Not confined to developing nations, illiteracy is a global problem, crossing all borders.

"Functional illiterates" in the industrialized world, including Eastern Europe, number in the tens of millions. UNESCO says there is no simple definition of a functional illiterate: illiteracy in this' context may mean anything from a "total inability to use the written word" to "an insufficient mastery of a set of sophisticated skills".

Figures vary on the extent of functional illiteracy. Of the United States population of 243.8 million, some 21 to 25 million cannot read or write. In Canada, a recent study estimates that 4.5 million of its 26 million citizens have inadequate literacy skills. In France, there are an estimated 2 to 8 million illiterates of a total population of 55.6 million.

Why it happens

Functional illiteracy is attributed by UNESCO to the sizeable high school drop-out rate in some industrialized countries. The highest illiteracy rates are often seen among ethnic minorities, the long-term unemployed and other disadvantaged populations. Although industrialized countries usually have universal primary education, many persons fall through the system's cracks, especially those who may speak minority languages at home or come from a cultural background outside of the mainstream.

Education budgets in industrialized countries have been hard hit in recent years, according to UNESCO, with cuts often affecting compensatory programmes and remedial tuition. Larger classes, scarce learning materials and low teacher morale may also result.

Until the 1970s, functional illiteracy was a hidden problem in the industrialized world. It was discovered as more and more training programmes aimed at preparing young people for employment in emerging industries found a lack of basic skills in literacy and numeracy in trainees.

The Institute for Education in Hamburg, Federal Republic of Germany, is a UNESCO centre for the study of functional illiteracy in industrialized countries.

Breaking the pattern

In the United States, state governments play a key role in the fight against illiteracy. The United States Department of Education cites literacy initiatives in 45 out of 50 states. A fully literate adult population was one of the stated goals of the September 1989 "education summit" of President George Bush and the state governors. Media and business groups are often involved in statewide public awareness campaigns.

Canada is investing $110 million (Canadian) over a five-year period to combat illiteracy. Prime Minister Brian Mulroney called for a "national effort" by all sectors of Canadian society when he announced the initiative on International Literacy Day, 8 September 1988. Canada's Frontier College is one example of an innovative approach. Founded in 1899, it was the first educational institution in Canada to teach migrant workers to read and write, and more recently, to meet the needs of indigenous groups such as the Indians, Metis and Eskimo peoples.