Today’s cause for celebration, the United Nations’ International Literacy Day, reminds us of the importance of our culture’s basic roots: reading and writing. What is taken for granted by the vast educated majority of society – the ability to read a book, write a letter or to write their own name – is for many children, young people or adults still an unaccomplished goal.

Especially girls have a greater burden to get access to quality education. In most cases they have to take care of their ill parents or their brothers and sisters.

Not being able to read and write, these people are excluded not only from culture, art, communication and politics in their own countries, but from international communication as well. Although illiteracy rates have dropped drastically since the 1970s (due to various organizations raising awareness through campaigns), we would be mistaken to assume that the mission for literacy has been accomplished.

Especially the less and least developed countries of Africa have literacy rates less than 50%. More than half the population of these countries still lack the opportunity to speak to the world or listen to what it is saying, they are excluded from this unique and ancient idea of letting the written word cross the boundaries of space and time.

And this does not only affect older people, it affects children in particular, children that will grow up to be our future.

Education and literacy are the first steps towards a better life for these children, towards getting a chance to raise their voices, speak to the world and make a change.

"Signature for Good" Montblanc's current initiative to support UNICEF's educational programmes around the world.

Our commitment:
Supporting educational programmes

Education and Literacy is at the core of Montblanc’s brand values and such is the effort to provide more people with the necessary tools to improve their lives, develop their own potential and make a change for future generations, especially in developing countries.