International Literacy Day

International Literacy Day highlights the importance of literacy in areas such as health and education. ©iStockphoto.com/Emrah Turudu

What do people do?

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and its partners promote the day to underline the significance of literacy for healthy societies, with a strong emphasis on epidemics and communicable diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis and malaria. The slogan for 2008 is “Literacy is the best remedy”. In conjunction with the day, UNESCO is holding a series of international education conferences in late 2008 and throughout 2009. The four conferences focus on inclusive quality education, education for sustainable development, adult learning, and higher education.

In countries all over the world, including the United States and the United Kingdom, the day raises people's awareness of and concern for literacy problems within their own communities. Activities such as letters to the editor in newspapers, as well as news reports about the concerns for low literacy levels, have occurred as a result of this increased awareness. Other activities include: literacy day projects, particularly with regard to technology and literature, which are promoted by various organizations including reading associations; and school projects to promote literacy in the form of craft ideas, e-cards, coloring activities, and lessons focused on creative writing, books, and reading.

Public Life

The UN's International Literacy Day is not a public holiday so public life is not affected.

Background

According to UNESCO, about 774 million adults lack the minimum literacy skills. One in five adults is still not literate and two-thirds of them are women. About 75 million children are out-of-school and many more attend irregularly or drop out. However, literacy is also a cause for celebration on the day because there are nearly four billion literate people in the world.

The UN General Assembly proclaimed a 10-year period beginning on January 1, 2003, as the United Nations Literacy Decade. The assembly also welcomed the International Plan of Action for the Decade and decided for UNESCO to take a coordinating role in activities at an international level within the decade's framework. On International Literacy Day each year, UNESCO reminds the international community of the status of literacy and adult learning globally. This day was first celebrated on September 8, 1966.

Symbols

UNESCO’s banners for the event feature the words “Literacy is the best remedy”. These banners have been produced in English, French, and Spanish. UNESCO’s logo features a drawing of a temple with the “UNESCO” acronym under the roof of the temple and on top of the temple’s foundation. Underneath the temple are the words “United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization”. This logo is often used in promotional material for International Literacy Day.

External links

UNESCO Literacy Portal: International Literacy Day (8 September)

International Literacy Day Observances

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