In 1990, the UN Conference in Jomtien galvanized the international community to work together to reach Education For All. As a result of this global commitment and thousands of successful initiatives, more children attend school today than at any time in history. Yet despite the successin increasing enrollment in school, children's learning outcomes in many low and lower middle income countries are problematic. According to the 2013/2014 Education for All Global Monitoring Report, of the 650 million primary school age children in schools today, 250 million are unable to read or do basic math.
The Global Reading Network brings together donors, practitioners, government officials, national and international civil society organizations, and other stakeholders committed to improving reading outcomes for primary grade children around the world. With support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and other key donor and development partners, the Network collects, develops, and disseminates evidence-based practices to increase the impact, scale, and sustainability of primary grade reading programs.
The Global Reading Network envisions a world in which all girls and boys, women and men can read to achieve their educational goals, become productive citizens and realize their potential.
The Global Reading Network will mobilize the collective actions, knowledge, and political commitment needed globally to ensure that all children learn to read. Toward this mission, the Network aims to:
The Global Reading Network is guided by two core principles in our mission to ensure all children learn to read: