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Maive McKenzie will be a World Literacy Foundation Youth Ambassador for 2024 and will serve as a local advocate in the Northern Rivers.
The World Literacy Foundation, a prominent international literacy nonprofit, is dedicated to eradicating illiteracy by 2024. Currently, a staggering 770 million people worldwide are unable to read a single word, and an additional 2 billion people struggle to read a sentence. In low-income households, an average of 72% of children face reading difficulties. Illiteracy can have a profound and lasting social and economic impact on a young person.
A global collective
Maive will be part of a global collective, joining 15- 25-year-olds from 40 countries, all united in their mission to improve literacy outcomes for disadvantaged children who struggle to read.
Ms McKenzie, a 17-year-old committed to becoming a WLF ambassador, says she has always been interested in leadership and advocacy. ‘Being a Youth Ambassador will allow me to grow and positively impact my community while helping a worthwhile cause.’
Illiteracy can significantly affect individuals and society
To Ms McKenzie, illiteracy can significantly affect individuals and society. ‘It can limit opportunities for personal and professional growth, leading to lower employment and income levels. Illiteracy also contributes to social inequality and can perpetuate cycles of poverty.’
Driven to create tangible change and empower individuals, Ms McKenzie is resolute in her commitment to ensuring everyone can access literacy resources. ‘By becoming a WLF ambassador, I am determined to raise awareness about the critical importance of literacy and education and work towards creating a more inclusive and equitable society for all individuals.’
As a Youth Ambassador, Maive can develop leadership skills and highlight literacy issues to the broader community.
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