International Literacy Day

Since 1967, International Literacy Day 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. The International Conference on ‘Literacy and Skills Development’ (held in Paris, September 7, 2018) will explore ways to make effective connections between literacy and technical and vocational skills in policies, practice, systems, and governance.

Focusing on youth and adults within the lifelong learning framework, the effective linkages between literacy and skills will be explored. The renewed focus on integrated approaches is grounded, on the one hand, in persistent literacy and skills challenges, and, on the other, in the new skills demands and impetus generated by the current context of globalization, digitization and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

As a former college instructor and literacy tutor, I’ve experienced first-hand the perils of illiteracy. And as an author, I recognize that if people cannot read, they won’t be able to write. With knowledge comes power, but to attain that power, all people must first have access to the fundamental right of being able to read.

Resources:
International Literacy Day 2018
UNESCO and Literacy