Moving forward from yesterday's events in Washington D.C.

While the Haskins Global Literacy Hub, with scientists, researchers, educators, and advocates spanning six continents, is a global initiative, our platform of support is based at Haskins Laboratories in New Haven, CT. Haskins has been at the epicenter of research on spoken and written language for nearly 90 years and is jointly affiliated with Yale University and the University of Connecticut. While the United States is our home for operations, our mission is to improve literacy development across cultures, languages, and continents.

Yesterday’s violent disruption to what has been an automatic and accepted democratic process in the United States underscores the importance of our work to champion global literacy initiatives, regardless of resources or circumstances. Access to print provides freedom and agency, as it unlocks the ability for any person to access knowledge and information without having to rely on others. A civilization can only exist when people, regardless of differences, come together in a shared effort, not wildly or in anarchy, to better their community. We believe that the ability to read is paramount to achieving that objective.

Our commitment to providing equitable access to the printed word is unwavering; it is a contribution that is a strong reflection of Haskins’ history, expertise, and moral compass. We endeavor to foster a literate, educated, and free-thinking society, which we believe is the best way to help shape an informed citizenry and peaceful tomorrow.

In peace and solidarity,