International Literacy Day 2015


Tuesday 8th September is International Literacy Day 2015 

The theme for this year is: Literacy and Sustainable Societies 

According to recent statistics, there are 776 million people world-wide that cannot write their own name or read a line from a book. There has been a link established between the education of people from rich countries and those from poor countries . UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) is dedicated to reducing the link between poverty and illiteracy.

Areas for development that will be looked into during International Literacy Day 2015 are to focus on the monitoring of literacy progress and effective global coordination to ensure sustained and coordinated efforts for literacy.

In the UK, 1 in 6 people struggle with literacy. The National Literacy Trust www.internationalilletracyday.org – why not look into hosting an event to raise awareness? Their website explains how to help and how to raise money.

New technologies, including mobile telephones, also offer fresh opportunities for literacy for all. We must invest more, and I appeal to all Members States and all our partners to redouble our efforts – political and financial – to ensure that literacy is fully recognized as one of the most powerful accelerators of sustainable development. The future starts with the alphabet.

UNESCO Director-General