PURPOSE: By the resolution 14 C/Resolutions; Since 1967, International Literacy Day (ILD) is observed on 8 September. The celebrations have taken place annually around the world to remind the public of the importance of literacy as a matter of dignity and human rights, and to advance the literacy agenda towards a more literate and sustainable society. Despite progress made, literacy challenges persist with at least 773 million young people and adults lacking basic literacy skills today. Literacy is central to a person’s lifelong learning journey. It is also fundamental to the empowerment of refugees, migrants and internally displaced persons (IDPs). Literacy contributes to resilience building, improved self-confidence and self-esteem, greater prospects for employment, better health outcomes, a stronger sense of agency, and motivation to learn and to socially integrate.
FORUM: ‘’Promoting multilingual education: Literacy for mutual understanding and peace.” International Literacy Day 2024. The ILD2024 will unpack issues related to literacy in multilingual contexts for achieving lasting peace and will explore possible solutions for enhancing policies, lifelong learning systems, governance, programmes, and practices. Human societies face the dual challenges of digital and green transitions. While technology promises progress, it also introduces ethical issues, particularly with AI, and accelerates digitalization's impact on climate change. Generative AI's rapid rise is outpacing regulatory adaptations, and the digital economy's extractive model and e-waste undermine sustainable development. Education systems must foster human-centered mindsets and digital competencies to align these transitions, ensuring technology supports sustainable and ethical goals. The UNESCO's 2024 Digital Learning Week aims to explore the linkages between these two transitions to promote the responsible use of digital technology in education. Follow the conversation with the hashtags #LiteracyDay; #LiteracyLearningSpaces; #8september.
EVENTS: On September 8th; The UNESCO will celebrate International Literacy Day 2024 under the theme, 'Promoting multilingual education: Literacy for mutual understanding and peace'. The ILD2024 will be celebrated in-person and online at the global, regional, national, and local levels. The global celebration will be held on September 9 and 10th in Yaoundé, Cameroon. It will include a global conference, the award ceremony of the UNESCO International Literacy Prizes, and side events, such as the annual meeting of Global Alliance of Literacy within the Framework of Lifelong Learning (GAL) and meetings of the Action Research on Measuring Literacy and Alternative Education (RAMAED), and the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities. It will also be an opportunity to shed light on the literacy agenda in Cameroon and Africa in the context of the African Union’s Year of Education and beyond. Join us in promoting literacy and shaping a brighter future for all. To register for the event, please contact: literacy@unesco.org. To watch the livestream click to the Webcast link.
The second edition of Digital Learning Week will take place on 2-5 September 2024 at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris in the Room IX and Room II. The UNESCO's Digital Learning Week presents a unique opportunity to participate in dynamic and thought-provoking discussions, dialogue and the sharing of groundbreaking ideas, and to foster meaningful co-creation and collaborative efforts to advance the digital transformation of education and to “reimagine our futures together.”
WEBINARS: These one-hour online professional learning events organized by the International Literacy Association (ILA) deliver insight and practical resources from experts in the field of literacy. You'll gain dependable, research-supported ideas you can apply in your classroom, school, and district. Explore the ILA digital events!
STATEMENTS: Statement from the UNESCO Director-General on International Literacy Day 2024; September 8th.
PODCASTS: Teachers, librarians, readers, educators, parents, authors and illustrators, and book lovers in general not only like to read books but they like to talk about books and share opinions and reactions. Literacy learning spaces include the physical environment, learning materials, and activities required to facilitate the creation of the space, while the socio-cultural environment, political environment, partnerships, and the assessment of literacy activities is crucial for the sustenance of these spaces. Listen to the Audio Podcasts!
CAMPAIGN MATERIALS: Embracing multiple types of literacy learning spaces such as home, community, workplace, digital, and hybrid, ensures a holistic approach by involving all key-stakeholders and meets the learning needs of youth and adults of different profiles and contexts. Get the ILD 2024 Poster!
WHY WE CELEBRATE THE DAY?
Celebrated on September 8 each year, ILD was created by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) in 1967 to remind the public of the importance of literacy as a matter of dignity and human rights, and to advance the literacy agenda towards a more literate and sustainable society. Despite progress made, literacy challenges persist with 771 million illiterate people around the world, most of whom women, who still lack basic reading and writing skills and are faced with increased vulnerability. aligned with your core values and interests. Having adequate literacy skills means being able to understand, evaluate, use and engage with written texts. It also means being able to participate in society, achieve your goals, and develop your knowledge and potential. Research shows that adults who have inadequate literacy skills are more likely to have poorer overall health, lower salaries, and lower levels of participation in their community.
We wish you a safe, happy, and healthy International Literacy Day and look forward to hearing the different ways you bring readers together around the globe both today and throughout the year.
ACTIONS
If reimagining literacy through a global lens is new to the work that you do, or if you are looking to transform literacy in global ways in the aftermath of the pandemic, we share a few tips that have helped to bring our work into perspective:
Connect with a colleague from across the globe. Consider attending an international literacy conference (virtually, or in person!).
Evaluate your local/school/classroom libraries to inventory representation of voices and diverse experiences from around the world.
Explore possible literacy networking opportunities to Identify a global affiliate participating in initiatives and projects
Increase awareness of diverse literacy learning spaces centred on needs of youth and adults based on new knowledge and evidence related to effective policies, systems, governance, programmes, teaching and learning practice, and monitoring of learning spaces.
Leverage the existing progress and transformation in the development of literacy learning spaces while setting the stage for lifelong learning.
Adapt the existing and the upcoming transformation in the literacy learning spaces to ensure quality, equitable, and inclusive education for all.
Connect the learning pathways between informal, non-formal and formal education systems and account for the literacy learning outcomes taking place in the unconventional spaces.
PARTNERSHIPS
The International Literacy Day is organized by the UNESCO and the UNESCO Regional Offices; the International Literacy Association (ILA); The Literacy and lifelong learning (UIL); The Global Alliance for Literacy (GAL) and the UNESCO Global literacy statistics (UIS).
With the collaboration of the Federation of European Literacy Associations (FELA) Conference the Literacy Association of Ireland (LAI), the International Reading Association, the The National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), the American Literary Association (ALA), The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), the EDUCATION COUNTS, the Australian Literacy Educators' Association., the Australian Council for Adult Literacy, the Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation (ALNF), the Reading Association of Russia (Русская Ассоциация Чтения), the Russian Association for Film and Media Education, the Canadian Children's Literacy Foundation, the ABC Life Literacy Canada and the National Literacy Trust.
With the participation of Civil society organizations, Public and Private sectors, Non-Governmental Organizations; Teachers and Educators, Librarians and writters and academics.