Every year on September 8, we mark International Literacy Day (ILD), which aims to advance literacy and a sustainable society. Despite advancements, the COVID-19 epidemic and other crises have made 763 million adults and youth around the globe lack basic literacy skills. Through a bilingual approach to literacy development and education, ILD seeks to empower individuals while promoting mutual respect and understanding.

With side events including the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities, the Global Alliance of Literacy within the Framework of Lifelong Learning, and the Action Research on Measuring Literacy and Alternative Education, the event will be watched locally, nationally, regionally, and worldwide. The day highlights the value of reading in advancing birth rights and democracy.

When Do We Celebrate World Literacy Day?

UNESCO initially declared September 8th as World Literacy Day in 1967 to promote literacy across the globe. Since then, it has been observed as International Literacy Day, a reflection of UNESCO’s acknowledgement of the value of literacy for human development and the concerted efforts undertaken by several nations to encourage it among their citizens.

International Literacy Day 2024 Theme

• Every year on September 8, the world celebrates International Literacy Day, highlighting the value of education and literacy for both individual development and society progress. The day, which was first observed by UNESCO, encourages literacy initiatives globally because, as of 2020, 76 crore adults and adolescents lacked even the most basic literacy skills.
• Concerning the African Union’s Year of Education, the 2024 topic, “Promoting multilingual education: Literacy for mutual understanding and peace,” will cover literacy objectives in Cameroon and Africa. International Literacy Day serves as a reminder of the fragility of humanity’s victory over reading and the need to attain universal literacy.

International Literacy Day History

• Every year on September 8, International Literacy Day is commemorated to highlight the value of literacy as a fundamental human right and a means of advancing both individual and social development.
• It was first created by UNESCO in 1966. The day encourages initiatives to increase reading rates globally and brings attention to issues about literacy across the world. Every year, it highlights a particular issue about education and literacy, urging institutions of higher learning, private businesses, and people to support efforts to raise literacy rates and promote lifelong learning.
• With over 750 million individuals globally unable to read, illiteracy persists as an issue despite improvements in reading rates. One of the countries with the greatest rates of illiteracy is the United States, where an estimated 32 million individuals lack literacy.
• The ability to read and write, as well as the state of being educated, are the definitions of literacy. In 1965, during the “World Conference of Ministers of Education on the Eradication of Illiteracy” in Tehran, Iran, the idea for the day was originally developed.
• In 1965, UNESCO established September 8 as International Literacy Day, primarily to serve as a reminder to the global community of the value of literacy for people on an individual, communal, and societal level as well as the necessity of stepping up efforts to create literate societies.
• One year later, on International Literacy Day, the world community took up the mission of eradicating illiteracy.

Significance of International Literacy Day

• September 8, 2024, is designated as International Literacy Day, a worldwide occasion to highlight the value of literacy and the millions of people who still face illiteracy.
• It encourages governments, non-governmental organisations, and educational establishments to fund literacy initiatives, provide efficient teaching methods, and deal with particular issues that various communities confront.
• The day also honours advancements and the remarkable effects that literacy initiatives have on people as individuals, as communities, and as countries.
• It acts as a reminder that reading is an essential human right and a driving force behind both individual and social advancement.

Conclusion

Every year on September 8, we commemorate International Literacy Day (ILD), which aims to enhance literacy and encourage a sustainable society. 763 million people and children worldwide lack basic literacy abilities, despite gains. ILD encourages the growth of multilingual literacy, empowering people and fostering respect for one another. The literacy goals in Cameroon and Africa are covered by the 2024 topic, “Promoting multilingual education: Literacy for mutual understanding and peace.”