☞ International Literacy Day 2019.,, International Literacy Day 2019: Theme, History & Significance

International Literacy Day is to make people aware about the importance of literacy for individuals, communities and societies and the need for intensified efforts towards more literate societies. It is necessary to raise the world's awareness of literary issues that are faced by people all over the world and also to endorse campaigns that help increase literacy for all people.

September 8th was proclaimed as International Literacy Day (ILD) at the 14th session of UNESCO’s General Conference on 26 October 1966. 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 matter of dignity and human rights, and to advance the literacy agenda towards a more literate and sustainable society. Despite progress made, literacy challenges persist, and at the same time the demands for skills required for work, evolve rapidly. 

CELEBRATIONS OF THE DAY IN 2019

"Our world is rich and diverse with about 7,000 living languages. These languages are instruments for communication, engagement in lifelong learning, and participation in society and the world of work. They are also closely linked  with distinctive identities, cultures,  worldviews,  and  knowledge  systems.  Embracing  linguistic  diversity  in  education  and  literacy  development  is  therefore  a  key  part  of  developing  inclusive  societies that  respect “diversity”  and “difference”, upholding human dignity".
International Literacy Day 2019: Theme

The theme for 2019 is 'Literacy and Multilingualism'. We know that with the progress still challenges about literacy persist. It is distributed unevenly across countries and populations. Therefore, it is necessary to focus on the linguistic diversity in education and literacy development to overcome the challenges and to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

The theme for 2018 is 'Literacy and Skills Development' to explore integrated approaches that simultaneously support the development of literacy and skills, to improve the lives and work of people and contribute to equitable and sustainable societies. This day also focuses on the various skills and competencies required for employment, careers and livelihoods, particularly technical and vocational skills along with transferable and digital skills.

We all also know that International Literacy Day was adopted as the part of the UN's sustainable development goals program in 2015 and Goal 4 has one of its targets ensuring all young people achieve literacy and numeracy basically those adults who lack these skills and opportunities are also provided so that they can acquire them.

International Literacy Day: History

On 26 October, 1966, UNESCO proclaimed 8 September as International Literacy Day to combat worldwide issues of illiteracy. The purpose was not only to combat illiteracy but also to promote literacy as a tool that could empower individuals as well as whole communities. Due to this many people around the globe will get employment opportunities and will improve their lives. Do you know that the idea of an International Literacy Day was born at the World Conference of Ministers of Education on the eradication of illiteracy held in Tehran in 1965? This day was also adopted as the part of UN's sustainable development goals program in 2015.

UNESCO has been central to improve literacy worldwide and that is why promotes International Literacy Day in partnership with governments, charities, local communities and experts in the field worldwide. By adopting various themes every year wants to turn attention on literacy in all its forms in a changing world. No doubt without literacy we can't make changes in the world and also can't improve our living being.
According to UNESCO "Literacy is the best remedy" which is the key to the right for all to an education. Also, we all know that UNESCO sustainable development goals mobilise efforts to eradicate poverty and inequalities across the world and improving literacy rates are an integral element. UNESCO also announces International Literacy awards; these are prestigious prizes recognising excellence and innovation submissions on the "Literacy and skills development" theme for 2018. With this further the importance of this day will be enhanced and promotes awareness and relevance of literacy and adult learning.

Why International Literacy Day is celebrated?

This day is celebrated to promote the human attention towards the literacy and know their rights for social and human development. As, food is important to be alive and success same literacy is also important. It is a necessary tool to eradicate poverty, lowering the child mortality, controlling the population growth, attaining the gender equality etc. It is correctly said that literacy has the ability to raise the family status. Therefore, this day is celebrated to encourage the people towards getting continuous education and understand their responsibility for the family, society and the country.

UNESCO continues to play a leading role in improving global literacy and promoting International Literacy Day with governments, communities etc. Through themes and several programmes, it aims to highlight the role of literacy and skills development in the context of a changing world.

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