To finalise a programme to combat illiteracy and making education easily accessible to more people in the South Asian countries, the Rotary International held a South Asian Countries’ Conference on Literacy and Education in Nepal, where Rotarians and experts from South Asian countries shared their thoughts.
At the conference, its convener Rotary International Director Shekhar Mehta said the meeting was an ideal opportunity for Rotary Clubs in South Asia to seek funding partners and finalise matching grants for the projects in the field of literacy and education. “Rotary believes there is tremendous potential in the South Asian people for development and through literacy and education, they can better avail the tremendous opportunities available.”
Regional Rotary Foundation Chairman Faiz Kidwai – also in the Kathmandu conference vice chair – said the ultimate beneficiaries for an economically stronger South Asia will be the common people of the region and literacy along with education will remain the key elements for success ahead. “A literate and educated population will play an important role in the economic development and growth of South Asia.”
The Rotary International gives tremendous importance to literacy and education as it is also one of the focus areas of service. Rotary clubs around the world reach millions of people with specific programmes of improving literacy and supporting quality education.
Rotary District Pakistan Governor Iqbal Qureshi claimed that the Kathmandu conference was attended by rotary clubs and government representatives of all South Asian countries and by various non-governmental organisations working towards promotion of education and literacy.
