This fourth edition of the EFA Global Monitoring Report focuses on literacy, says this posting on the web site of the Development Gateway. The report measures the world's progress towards achieving the six Education For All goals, and especially the neglected one of universal literacy. It stresses the urgency of devoting increased policy attention and resources to literacy, emphasising the profound benefits it confers on individuals, communities and nations. The main argument of the report is that literacy is essential not only for achieving Education For All, but also for reaching the overarching goal of reducing human poverty.