The Elusive Art of NGO Literacy: Some Issues and Reflections

"NGO literacy." "From the grassroots and the shop floor." Literacy practices of the groups that make up "civil society." "Popular movement." The language shifted from participant to participant, continent to continent. The quest was the same, that of defining the practicesofliteracy at the local level, in small groups not necessarily linked to larger programs or networks. The strength of such literacy work is affirmed rootedness in local languages, issues, cultures and communities. The weakness of such literacy action is also the confirmed precarious funding base, often a lack of training and materials, and a tendency to re-invent the wheel for lack of contact with larger networks and programs.