The British Association of Literacy in Development (BALID) is a vibrant community of people who are passionate about literacy. BALID is a UK-based NGO operating as a voluntary/ community organisation under UK law promoting adult, family and community literacy and numeracy as a basic human right, in the context of international development.

Emeritus Professor Lalage Bown, OBE died in Shrewsbury hospital on 17 December 2021, aged 94, following a fall at home. An eminent women’s literacy advocate, she dedicated her life’s work to improving education for the disadvantaged, especially women, seeking to bring university opportunities to the widest possible sections of society.