Literacy is a pivotal aspect of education and critical for economic development as well as individual and community well-being. Innovative programming that taps into culturally relevant local resources can increase literacy and strengthen social-emotional skills. This article describes the work of LitWorld, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that…

The papers making up this Special Section reveal important findings and begin to fill gaps in existing literature about children's and young people's understanding and developing beliefs about socio-economic inequality and poverty. We draw on our research experience with children growing up in poverty in Ethiopia, India, Peru, and Vietnam (Young…

Drawing on recent research with NGO-driven projects in rural Cajamarca, Peru, we examine the paradoxes of relying on wind, solar and micro-hydro generation of electricity for rural community development. In spite of cost, vagaries of these energy resources and limited material benefits, especially with wind and solar systems, villagers are eagerly…

Describes a bilingual education program in Peru that attempted to introduce reading in the native language of that country along with instruction in Spanish. Traces the development and implementation of the language curriculum, sketches the problems that were faced, discusses the materials used, and presents an evaluation of the program. (FL)

A structural and philosophical reform of Peruvian education was instituted in March 1972, using as its basis a local community education nucleus model. This article presents the reform experience, relates it to its historical antecedents, gives some information on evaluation studies in progress, and traces some projections for educational…

Four aspects of computer assisted instruction (CAI) are treated: (1) an introduction to computer literacy and awareness; (2) guidelines for establishing a computer-assisted bilingual instruction site; (3) a description of some existing computer-assisted bilingual projects; and (4) identification of future needs. The first section provides a…

The title reflects the first and major article in an issue of this newsletter devoted entirely to communication satellites. This series of articles on the potential and applications of communication satellites in development projects is concerned with their development for commercial and public service, development in the Pacific region, SPACECOM…

Discusses implications for bilingual educators of some of the more startling culture-bound linguistic characteristics of relatively primitive (often preliterate) peoples. Includes a description of the bilingual education program among the ethnic groups of Peru. (JB)

Describes an audiovisual literacy educational method (Fotomontaje), based on the consciousness-raising technique of Paulo Freire called "conscientization," used in Lima, Peru, slum communities to develop social consciousness and commitment to social justice. Questions using consciousness-raising for such participants and suggests…

The title reflects the first and major article in an issue of this newsletter devoted heavily to video technology. The flexible capabilities of videotape used with microteaching are presented and illustrated with case studies of childhood education and rural health development programs in Nigeria, improvement of nurses' communication skills, and…

This digest presents the main elements of a regional seminar held in Sucre, Bolivia, to analyze and assess basic education and literacy programs that have been implemented in Latin America and the Caribbean. In addition to UNICEF and UNESCO officials, some 36 experts from 11 countries participated in the meeting. Although the initial aim of the…