International Literacy Day

September 8 marks International Literacy Day. This day serves to remind practitioners, decision-makers, and young people alike of the importance of literacy as a human right. International Literacy Day not only promotes reading and writing, but also peace, justice, and equity.

UNESCO, which has been celebrating International Literacy Day since 1967, notes how literacy allows us to enjoy and share the world around us,

“Literacy is a foundation for people to acquire broader knowledge, skills, values, attitudes, and behaviours to foster a culture of lasting peace based on respect for equality and non-discrimination, the rule of law, solidarity, justice, diversity, and tolerance and to build harmonious relations with oneself, other people and the planet.” – UNESCO

In 1990, Rudine Sims Bishop noted the power of children entering into someone else’s world through reading. This, she said, fosters tolerance and respect for others. Globally, however, children’s literacy is in crisis, with millions of children lacking basic proficiency in reading and writing, and hundreds of millions more not attending school. The need for awareness surrounding these dire issues is significant.

Critical, too, is the need for digital literacy. As children become digital consumers at increasingly younger ages, they are at risk of being misinformed, harmed, or exploited. Recognizing this issue, UNESCO has themed this year’s International Literacy Day, “Promoting Literacy in a Digital Age”.

On September 8, take part in the global celebration of literacy. Read a book (to yourself or with a child), support local reading initiatives, or speak to a child about the importance of being responsible digital citizens. See the resources below for how to celebrate International Literacy Day and for discussing digital literacy with young people.

The CTRC would also like to take the time to acknowledge that literacy, as it is typically understood, can be used as a colonial structure that does not recognize or celebrate the multiplicity of literacies that exist. We invite people to consider what typical understandings of literacy include, but also what and whom they leave out. 

For Educators: UNICEF Global Citizen Activities 

For Parents: PBS For Parents Reading and Writing