Rotary members provide Basic Education and Literacy to their home communities and communities around the world. Be sure to see the latest issues of the BELRAG newsletter, learn how Rotarians are committed to improving basic education and literacy. See our website for more information: https://belrag.org/. Thank you to Joan Barrett for linking us up with the Newsletters.
Enjoy past Newsletters as you support BEL programs..
Carolyn Johnson
Chair Emeritus, BELRAG
BELRAG was formed in 2011. We are a network of Rotarians and others passionate across the world who have a special interest in acting upon the mission and goals of Rotary International related to alleviating illiteracy; enhancing literacy teaching and learning globally, and helping to provide materials and equipment for literacy education at different levels. Like all Action Groups, BELRAG is an autonomous association of like-minded Rotarians, partners of Rotarians, and Rotaractors working in partnership with Clubs and Districts on basic education and literacy projects of mutual concern. Learn more about the history of BELRAG here.
BELRAG’s Mission and Goals
Increasing general awareness of the severity of illiteracy throughout the world; and its effect on the quality of the lives of individuals, families, communities, and nations from generation to generation.
Increasing awareness among Rotarians, Rotary Clubs, and Rotary Districts of ways they can implement basic education and literacy projects that strengthen the capacity of communities to provide education and literacy to all.
Assisting Rotarians, Rotary Clubs, and Rotary Districts to increase the scale and effectiveness of their participation in the alleviation of illiteracy and its consequences - supporting the pursuit of the Object of Rotary by providing programs for both children and adults and reducing gender disparity in education.
Actively collaborate with Rotarians to establish partnerships for projects involving other areas of focus.
What Strategies does BELRAG use to achieve its Goals?
The following strategies are among those that are used to achieve BELRAG’s goals.
Publicize the extent and consequences of illiteracy in terms of human experience and welfare using a website, newsletters, pamphlets, diverse other publications, displays, and conferences;
Attract and involve Rotarians, their partners, and Rotaractors as BELRAG members;
Develop support systems for Rotary basic education and literacy activities, including the nomination of project advisers, and
Develop productive relationships with appropriate non-Rotary organizations and agencies, e.g. International Reading Association
Creating Truly Inclusive Education: Applying a Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Lens to Education Programs
Thursday, 16 January 2025 10:00 AM (US Eastern Standard Time)
Registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIqcu2qrj0rHdxf4AHGy2_F82QaGhiCM_zg
A Webinar Offered by BELRAG (Basic Education & Literacy Rotary Action Group)
The webinar will describe World Vision’s gender equality and social inclusion approach and theory of change. It will outline the need to move beyond ensuring that girls and other marginalized groups have access to education. It will examine how education programs can challenge the systems, norms and decision-making processes that limit opportunities for girls and boys to reach their learning goals. It will provide a detailed example of a program implemented in Nepal and examples from other countries to highlight innovations. There will be plenty of time for questions.
What you will get out of it:
An understanding of the different barriers that limit access to a quality education for girls and other marginalized groups
An understanding of ways that these barriers have been removed
Meet our presenters:
Edward Winter is a Senior Technical Advisor for Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) at World Vision’s US office. He is responsible for supporting the incorporation of GESI in the design and implementation of programs in different countries. He also trains staff on GESI and leads external engagement around disability inclusion. He has an MSc in Development Management from the Open University, UK. He taught in schools in Nigeria, the UK, and Eritrea for 5 years before working on development issues for the last 26 years. He lived in Rwanda, Moldova, and Kyrgyzstan during that time. More information on his work can be found here: (25) Edward Winter | LinkedIn. He lives in Rockville, Maryland.
Ila Pant works as Grant Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Specialist at World Vision International Nepal with over 8 years of work experience in the sector. She is responsible for ensuring that monitoring and evaluation activities improve programming and that we capture evidence and promising practices. She oversaw monitoring, evaluation, and learning for the innovative, inclusive education project in Nepal. She has a master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Philippines, Diliman. She lives in Kathmandu, Nepal.
BELRAG SYMPOSIUM 2025:
Highlights of Some Recent Projects:
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BELRAG WEBINARS: Here is a link to our webinars: https://belrag.org/stories/webinars
BELRAG BULLETINS: Here is a link to our Bulletins: https://belrag.org/Bulletins/
BECOME A BELRAG AMBASSADOR: Here is a link: https://belrag.org/stories/belrag-ambassadors
LOOK AT ALL OF THE PROJECTS: Here is a link: https://belrag.org/Entity/Grid?ListingId=c09438de-dc87-424e-a92b-405cb4421c55&&SmartSearchId=d27e1e28-6665-4a13-a05a-d78fa77482b0