On Tuesday, May 20, 2025, the Women's Affairs Unit at the College of Education at Al-Ayen Iraqi University organized a scientific symposium entitled "Literacy and its Impact on Achieving Sustainable Development." Asst. Lecturer Ali J. Kadhim lectured at the symposium, which was attended by a number of faculty members, students, and those interested in education.
The symposium highlighted the concept of illiteracy, which is not limited to the inability to read and write alone but also includes functional illiteracy, the inability to use basic skills in practical life. The lecturer addressed the main reasons for the spread of illiteracy in remote areas, including: the remoteness of schools, weak infrastructure, a shortage of teachers, poverty, and social norms that hinder girls' education.
The symposium also reviewed the effects of illiteracy on individuals and society, such as reduced job opportunities, weak community participation, and the exacerbation of poverty and ignorance. He explained the importance of literacy programs, including adult education, mobile schools, and support for distance learning, in cooperation with government agencies and international organizations.
The symposium touched on successful experiences in literacy, such as the use of technology and e-learning, and volunteer initiatives in rural areas, stressing that education is the key to renaissance and that investing in it is an investment in the future.
