International Literacy Day

What Is International Literacy Day?

September 8th is "International Literacy Day," established by UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization). It commemorates September 8, 1965, when, at the World Conference of Ministers of Education held in Tehran, Iran, the Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, proposed redirecting part of military spending to literacy education. UNESCO proclaimed the day at its General Conference in October 1966, and it has been observed every year since 1967. It is one of the UN's international days, calling on the world to recognize the importance of reading and writing.

What Is "Literacy"?

"Literacy" means being able to read and write and to understand what is written.

• The power to pass on knowledge: Writing allowed people to record knowledge beyond the limits of their own memory and share it with distant places and later generations.
• The power to take part in society: Being able to read official documents, contracts, and medicine instructions is a foundation for protecting one's life and participating in society.

A Brief History of International Literacy Day

International Literacy Day is an international effort that has continued for more than half a century.

• 1965: At the World Conference of Ministers of Education in Tehran, the Shah proposed redirecting part of military spending to literacy education.
• 1966: The UNESCO General Conference proclaimed September 8 as International Literacy Day.
• 1990: The United Nations' "International Literacy Year."
• Every year around September 8: Events highlighting the importance of literacy are held worldwide, and UNESCO presents the UNESCO International Literacy Prizes to outstanding literacy programs.

Facts About Literacy

• An ongoing challenge: Literacy rates have risen steadily worldwide, but because of conflict, poverty, and discrimination, hundreds of millions of adults are still said to lack basic reading and writing skills, many of them women.
• Regional gaps: Countries with low literacy rates are concentrated among developing nations, including in Africa, and gaps in educational opportunity also affect economic development.
• Expanding "literacies": Today the idea of literacy has expanded to include "media literacy," the ability to judge whether information is true, and "data literacy," the ability to interpret data.
• No age limit on learning: Around the world, literacy classes are held for adults who learn to read and write later in life.

Tips for Spending International Literacy Day

• Take your time reading a book from a field you don't usually explore.
• Make a habit of checking the original sources of information you see on social media or in the news.
• Write your thoughts out by hand to organize what's on your mind.
• Learn about education-support efforts by UNESCO and NGOs.

A Day to Rethink the "Ordinary" Ability to Read and Write

International Literacy Day on September 8th reminds us that the ability to read and write, which we use every day without thinking, is still not something everyone in the world has. Why not open a book or write a letter to someone today, and feel the power of words once again?