14 DAY TRIAL // With the help and support of Microsoft and Verizon, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has announced the creation of a new online hub for literacy experts and educators. The Knowledge and Innovations Network for Literacy (KINL) portal is the result of years of collaboration between Microsoft and UNESCO.
The Redmond company and UNESCO share a common vision, that technology can reshape education, and as such impact the lives of millions, giving them the real chance to rise from poverty.
UNESCO and Microsoft have been hard at work on narrowing the digital divide since 2004, and KINL is the latest initiative from the duo, one designed to reduce the number of illiterate people worldwide, some 796 million adults and 67.4 million children, according to estimates.
“Our latest project is supporting UNESCO in its development of the Knowledge and Innovations Network for Literacy (KINL) portal, which aims to build a community of literacy experts and educators,” revealed Cheick Diarra, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and Microsoft’s Chairman for Africa.
“This online resource will connect experts with teachers, provide NGOs and governments with tried and tested literacy curriculum programmes, share enhanced teaching methodologies and deliver information to support policy development,” Diarra added.
Literacy researchers and workers worldwide will be able to connect, share and collaborate in English, Spanish and French through the new portal.
According to the software giant, Microsoft SharePoint platform is at the at the heart of the new resource, which was put together by Microsoft partner Infusion.
The Redmond company notes that the Knowledge and Innovations Network for Literacy (KINL) is scheduled to go live on November 1st, 2010.
“Promoting literacy requires action from both the public and private sectors; we are all stakeholders in the fight to eradicate illiteracy,” Diarra added.
“Microsoft shares UNESCO’s belief that technology can play an important role in doing so by providing access to education solutions and curriculum for both basic and digital literacy and helping more people participate in the global information society.”