#LiteracyDay

Since 1967, International Literacy Day (ILD) celebrations have taken place annually around the world to remind the public of the importance of literacy as a human right.

Despite progress made, literacy challenges persist with at least 771 million young people and adults lacking basic literacy skills today.  Rapidly changing global context took a new meaning over the past years, hampering the progress of global literary efforts. In the aftermath of the pandemic, nearly 24 million learners might never return to formal education, out of which, 11 million are projected to be girls and young women.

To ensure no one is left behind, we need to enrich and transform the existing learning spaces through an integrated approach and enable literacy learning in the perspective of lifelong learning.

This year’s International Literacy Day will be celebrated worldwide under the theme, Transforming Literacy Learning Spaces and will be an opportunity to rethink the fundamental importance of literacy learning spaces to build resilience and ensure quality, equitable, and inclusive education for all.

At the global level, a two-day hybrid international event will be organized on 8 and 9 September 2022, in Côte d’Ivoire. The International Literacy Day global celebration lies at the heart of regional, country and local levels. As such, this year’s outstanding programmes and literacy practices will be announced through the 2022 UNESCO International Literacy Prizes award ceremony.

International Literacy Day in Ireland

In Ireland, despite progress made, challenges persist with many people struggling daily with literacy, numeracy and digital literacy tasks.

The new, 10-year Adult Literacy for Life Strategy aims to address this inequality, to ensure everyone can take part in society and to ensure that no one is left behind.

This year, the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA) will also celebrate International Literacy Day under the theme Transforming Literacy Learning Spaces. The theme highlights how literacy learning is occurring beyond traditional ‘education’ spaces such as in workplaces, communities, families and libraries.

NALA will host a celebratory event for adult learners on International Literacy Day, Thursday 8 September, as well as several webinars on the theme, during September. The webinars will be an opportunity to rethink the fundamental importance of literacy learning spaces to build resilience and ensure quality, equitable, and inclusive education for all.