Many Bible Societies in the Asia Pacific region are running literacy projects in their respective countries, seeking to meet the need for literacy in their countries and empower people with reading and writing skills.  

United Bible Societies (UBS) is committed to developing effective and meaningful literacy activities for global Bible engagement. The achievement of this goal depends on several factors, including a knowledgeable and well-equipped staff, as well as a well-managed and efficiently implemented sustainable literacy program. 

In 2023, a competency survey was conducted among Bible Society’s literacy staff and a need was highlighted: training staff in how to develop literacy material, which is a component of the literacy lifecycle. As a result, the Asia Pacific Literacy Training was organised, covering literacy principles, common standards and the literacy lifecycle. In 2024, 21 staff from 12 Bible Societies across Asia Pacific and the Global Literacy Office attended the training, conducted by four certified trainers which include two specialists from SIL, one freelance specialist, and Cito, UBS Literacy Advisor for the Asia Pacific. Literacy training continues in 2025 covering various topics in literacy as needs among the literacy workers are identified. 

Statistics

• 58.8 million non-literate adults in Pakistan  
• 41.25 million non-literate adults in Bangladesh  
• 25 Bible Society literacy staff in the Asia Pacific will participate in Literacy Training in 2025