Weblog
Monday, 03 November 2008
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Over 1.6 Million Illiterate in Vietnamhttp://www.thanhniennews.com/education/?catid=4&newsid=43347More than 1.66 million Vietnamese over the age of 15 cannot read or write, according to statistics reported at a conference held by the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) early this week in Hanoi.
Illiterate individuals account for 3 percent of the approximately 54 million people over age 15, the statistics showed. Sixty-three out of the country’s 64 provinces and cities were surveyed.
Most who cannot read are over 36 years old, accounting for 1.27 million people.
The localities with the highest illiteracy rates are in remote areas populated by minority peoples in the northern provinces of Lai Chau, Son La and Lang Son, and the Central Highlands provinces of Kon Tum and Gia Lai.
Meanwhile, some adult groups who were once taught to read and write are now in danger of forgetting their skills, mainly in the same remote provinces, the conference heard.
The conference, held by MoET in cooperation with the Vietnam Study Encouragement Society, aimed to review a project of MoET’s to “establish a studying society” and develop community studying centers from 2005-2010.
The project’s primary targets include stepping up illiteracy eradication efforts amongst minority peoples and achieving a literacy rate of 98 percent for those over 15 years old.
Wednesday, 15 October 2008
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Currently Listening
Sliding Doors: Music From The Motion Picture
By Various Artists
see relatedAt the edge of the ocean, we can start over again.
Just when things don't seem to ever make sense, they finally do. 24 has definitely been a year of magical thinking, and while it's been an adventure of ups and downs, I'm pretty happy with the way it's turning out (and how it's not turning out). A part of me wishes to slow down, to be able to stay in one spot at one time, to really take things in as they are and not what they might be tomorrow, to not have to stare at a calendar and squeeze things in when they should already be so comfortably woven in, but then again, it's hard to lead the life you choose. As long as you're not crawling on your knees. (Guess that song!)
Thank goodness for best friends and frequent flier miles. And busy schedules too. Let's add that one for kicks.
If time's all we've got, let's make a run for it. See you at the finish line.
Thursday, 31 July 2008
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Something has got to change.
Thursday, 24 July 2008
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"Here’s to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the trouble makers, the round pegs in the square holes.
They are not fond of rules, and they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them.
About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them, because they change things. They push the human race forward.
And while some may see them as crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do. "
Thursday, 10 July 2008
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What inspires you? What makes something worth everything?
Sometimes, you make it when you believe in it. A year ago, we would never have anticipated the extent of this year's successful Collective Philanthropy Project, and here we are, a few weeks away from conference, and Pha-Le and I have never been more inspired.
We've raised close to $50,000 for the Vietnamese Overseas Initiative for Conscience Empowerment, but more importantly, made friends across the country and saw an increase in campus participation with VOICE, as students everywhere hosted events at school and in the communities.
We kicked-off the VOICE campaign in Chicago, Seattle, Westminster and Falls Church. We biked over 20 miles under the Californian sun. We participated in half a dozen Tet festivals around the country. We drove endless miles to see cultural shows hosted by some of the brightest and best collegiate actors and dancers.
And now, we're going to Cambodia to see how the efforts made by students this year will impact the lives of those silenced by human trafficking. The CPP team is proud to join VOICE in a joint mission to provide resources and support for the new office in Siem Reap.
Sometimes you really do make it when you believe in it. To register for this year's uNAVSA conference in Portland, Oregon from July 31- August 3, 2008: http://conference.unavsa.org/2008/home.html
Viva la vida.
