NationStates Jolt Archive


Literacy Campaign Proposal

Leaky Cauldron
28-08-2004, 00:03
Being aware of an need for the improvement of the world's literacy, Leaky Caldron proposes to set up 1,000 libraries in each member nation. Each UN sanctioned library shall do the following:

1. Hold classes to teach any illiterate person how to read.
2. Set up weekly discussion groups according to specific age groups.
3. Set up weekly computer classes to instruct students about basic computer uses such as using the Internet.

Would you vote for this proposal? How would you improve this proposal? Which category would this proposal go under?
Markodonia
28-08-2004, 01:04
Leaky Caldron proposes to set up 1,000 libraries in each member nation.

I wouldn't use a set number such as that. Amongst Markodonia's two billion citizens for example, 1000 libraries would be a raindrop in an ocean.
Xerxes855
28-08-2004, 01:31
Though I support the spirit of it, I have a few problems with this proposal:

1) The 1000 libraries building is a bad idea. It doesn't take into account that some states might already have enough or even an over abundance of libraries. It also doesn't take into account population. You also need to take the size of the state into account. I don't support enforcing this, but a better way to insure ataquite libraries is to enforce a minimum number of libraries per person.

2) Discussion groups? You need to provide more detail.

3) What about nations that do not have computers?
_Myopia_
28-08-2004, 12:29
What they said. Plus, for some developing nations, asking them to spend money on libraries while war, disease and famine plague them is a bit silly. I would simply offer support and encouragement (and possibly UN funding) for literacy and computer literacy programmes giving (preferably free) courses.
Frisbeeteria
28-08-2004, 14:33
This also ignores the fact that there are a large number of NS nations that are spacefaring futuretech organizations who indoctrinate their children via neural link from day one Feudal states who may not even have the concept of literacy except among their nobility Elvish, vampire, or penguin states where entirely different rules apply.Just pointing out that very specific one-size-fits-all solutions don't really work in this game.

I'd also like to point out that the phrasing of this line, " Leaky Caldron proposes to set up 1,000 libraries in each member nation." carries the implication that the author is footing the bill for the entire project, then turning it over to "UN sanction". While I think that's a great idea, I somehow doubt that Leaky Caldron intended to bankrupt their nation for the benefit of Literacy to the other ~34,000 member nations.

If you want some help with a rewrite, feel free to ask. I'd start by tearing this one completely apart and reexamining your goal of literacy, rather than the three fairly narrow proposed solutions.
Denbighshire
28-08-2004, 18:04
It is the opinion of the King's Government that the Draft Resolution would be substantially improved with an allocation of funds to each Member State for the purpose of constructing libraries.

As such, it should be considered that, given the population variances between Member States, construction of 1000 libraries may be more or less, as may be the case, than is needed to service the population of said individual Member State efficiently.

Therefore, the Prime Minister would recommend that the following be taken into account by the Sponsoring Member State:

-The number of citizens that can be served by one library;
-The population of each Member State;
-The number of libraries needed to serve each Member State vis-a-vis its population;
-The total cost of construction and stocking for one library.

In this way, the number of libraries constructed in each Member State will be an accurate reflection of each Member State's needs.
Frisbeeteria
28-08-2004, 18:46
While there is nothing wrong with the concept of libraries, defining a number of them per country will not in and of itself improve literacy. Nothing forces a nation to stock a library with materials that encourage literacy, nor is there a requirement that entrance to such libraries be free, nor is there a requirement that the libraries actually stock reading material, nor is there any way to force the citizens of a country to actually visit these libraries.

Were I to build a proposal that required the building of libraries, I would base it on a percentage of population, say, one library for every 100,000 citizens. I would require them to stock a variety of age- and grade-level appropriate materials, encourage nations to establish community outreach programs, provide for advertising to promote such programs, and so on.

In fact, such a program exists in Frisbeeteria, where we are delighted to point out that all citizens entering the workforce are required to demonstrate literacy. It's safer for our workers and cheaper for our corporations to know that employees can read the safety rules and operating manuals of our sometimes-dangerous machinery. We are proud of our 100% citizen literacy rate, and have every intention of keeping it that way.

Our neighbors across the border do not feel the same way. They live under an oppressive dictator, and it is in Her best interest to keep Her subjects subjugated. Hers is an agrarian feudal society, and literacy does not hold the same value to her citizens as they do ours. Nor do we permit immigration from that nation - they couldn't survive in mechanized Frisbeeteria.

This is a national issue, not an international one. No matter how you build the proposal, a large number of nations will oppose it. Build a proposal that encourages literacy through UN-provided encouragement and educational programming and you might find an audience. Forcing nations to build something, because you try to push your particular hot-button issue, has a long history of failure in NationStates.
Bahgum
28-08-2004, 21:15
Eh Ooop, tha's notiun on 'ow t'fettle 'em as can't read n write be reet grand, but we reckon it be ooop t'nation, not t'world t'build us own libraries and set us own priorities on teaching t'bairns.
Anyroad, Bahgum 'as nay problems wi'literacy an all, we've even gone as far as t'ban that there new fangled queens English, as it's based on t'poncey aristocracy and kept us good owd fashioned Northern English. Spoke as English should be, and allus 'as been.

Grand!
Markodonia
29-08-2004, 01:11
Eee by gum.