UNESCO to promote education & culture with Kerala

Updated on: Monday, June 25, 2012

Shigeru Aoyagi, Director and Unesco representative to Bhutan, India, Maldives and Sri Lanka, said, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) was willing to work with the state government in the field of education and culture.

He said, "Ahead of the 'Emerging Kerala' meet when the state is trying to woo investors, it is very important to display the capability of the human resource here, which should include the portrayal of the rich culture of the state. Unesco is willing to work with the state in this regard."

Aoyagi also hailed the rich reading culture of the state, as well as the role played by the library movement in boosting this. While India's neighbouring countries are struggling to raise their literacy level, this state achieved that way back in the 90s. "Countries like Bangladesh and Pakistan have reached only the 50% mark," he said.

"Political will coupled with determination at the grass-root level has been the key to such a success. This model should be emulated by India's neighbouring countries as well," he said. Though it may be comparatively easy to create political will in this regard, the real task will be to generate interest at the grass-roots, he said.

Aoyagi said literacy could be promoted in rural areas only by inculcating the habit of reading in people. "Kerala's achievement cannot be ignored, especially at a time when Unesco is devoting the decade (2003-13) to promote literacy," he said.

During his two-day visit to the state, Shigeru Aoyagi held discussions with chief minister Oommen Chandy, industries minister P K Kunhalikutty and education minister P K Abdu Rabb, and expressed Unesco's willingness to work in cooperation with the state.

UNESCO to promote education & culture with Kerala

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