Man, it feels good being a fan of Natalie. Even her harshest critic would have to admit that her charity work over the last few years has been really impressive, and today we have news of yet another new cause – The Big Read.

The fact that one in every four women cannot read this is the incentive for the Global Campaign for Education’s huge international effort to put literacy on the forefront of the global agenda and ensure that the international community take the steps to ensure Education for All. Some of the world’s favourite personalities are leading the way in the effort that will see millions of individuals ‘Write their name, for those who can’t’, during Global Action Week 20th – 26th April 2009.

The Big Read contains stories, and writing from Mandela, Tutu, Natalie Portman, Alice Walker, Paulo Coelho, Queen Rania, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Michael Morporgo, former child labourer Devli Kumari, former child soldier Ishmael Beah, and many others. All contributing authors feel that having an education and the ability to read has transformed their lives and are joining this effort to help everyone to have this chance in life.

The book has been translated and distributed in over 100 countries; it is designed to engage the public in literacy and campaigning for Education for All, who after reading a story, write their name in the back of the book, for the millions who cannot. The Global Campaign for Education will deliver the millions of names to the relevant government officials in demand that they keep their Education for All promises.

‘Education for All’ was promised by nearly every government by 2015, and with just over just over 2000 days to that deadline here are still 774 million illiterate adults and 75 million children unable to go to school. Every year the Global Campaign for Education coordinates a Global Action Week to campaign for everyone’s good quality, free, public education. Last year close to nine million people took part in ‘The World’s Biggest Lesson’.

The Big Read is taking part during 20th – 26th April, 2009, and we’re expecting more than 10 million people to take part. There are high profile events taking place in all countries, with children reading stories to their politicians, running writing competitions, and reading circles.

Fanatical found that news and she also spotted that the Global Education Twitter page had this…errr…twit? I honestly have no idea what they’re called…

Very excited about natalie portman’s story coming to the big read! It’s brilliant!