8th September: Internacional Literacy Day

Internacional Literacy Day is celebrated on Septemeber 8 every year. This date was proclaimed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to highlight the importance of literacy as a mean to empower people and promote sustainable development.

Literacy is fundamental to individual and social development, as it provides people with critical skills for communication, learning and participation in society. The ability t oread and write not only improves educational and employment opportunnities, but also enables people to make informed decisions and actively participate in civic life.

Why is Internacional Literacy Day necessary?

Promotion of literacy. Internacional Literacy Day serves as a global platfrom to promote the importance of literacy around the world. Although acces to education and literacy has improved significantly in many countries, there are still millions of people in the world who lack basic Reading and writing skills.

Fundamental human right. Literacy is a fundamental human right recognized by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Access to education and the acquisitions of literacy skills are essential for the full exercise of other human rights, such as access to information, civic participation and employment opportunities.

Sustainabla development. Literacy is a key factor for sustainable development. Literate people have greater employment opportunities, better health and a greater ability to participate in decision-making and contribute to the development of their communities.

Literacy strategies for youth and adults, UNESCO 2020-2025.

This was approved on November 14, 2019 at a UNESCO General Conference. This meeting established four important aspects to be addressed such as:

• Developing literacy policies and strategies.
• Taking into account the needs of disadvantaged groups, giving greater relevance to women and girls.
• Use digital technologies to achieve greater and better results in teaching and learning.
• Follow up through monitoring and evaluation of both competencies and programs implemented for youth and adult literacy.

These strategies will focus on countries with the greatest literacy problems, especially those with the poorest and most populous populations, countries where gender equality issues are most prevalent, and those that are marginalized, such as indigenous peoples, refugees and migrants.