International Literacy Day 2024: Theme and What UNESCO Does for Literacy

Every year on 8 September, the world comes together to celebrate International Literacy Day, a day dedicated to the importance of literacy as a tool to empower individuals and build more inclusive societies. Established by UNESCO in 1967, International Literacy Day has grown into a global movement to draw attention to the challenge of illiteracy and advocate for access to education for all.

Essentially, literacy is the ability to read, write, and comprehend information. However, in today’s world, literacy goes far beyond these basic skills. For example, functional literacy includes the ability to use reading and writing skills to solve problems, make informed decisions, and participate meaningfully in society.

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Likewise, digital literacy, the ability to use technology effectively, has become an essential skill for navigating the modern world, especially in the workplace and education.

— United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization 🏛️ #Education #Science #Culture🇺🇳 (@UNESCO) September 7, 2024

Literacy empowers individuals by enabling them to access education, information and employment opportunities. Literacy is the foundation for lifelong learning and helps people participate more fully in their communities, improve their health and escape poverty. For communities and countries, higher literacy rates are associated with better economic performance, reduced inequality and greater social cohesion.

What is the history of International Literacy Day?

International Literacy Day (ILD) was first proclaimed by UNESCO in 1965 and celebrated for the first time on 8 September 1967. The purpose of this day is to highlight the importance of literacy as a matter of dignity and human rights. It also aims to promote global literacy as a key factor in improving people’s lives and creating more equitable societies.

What is the theme of International Literacy Day 2024?

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The theme of International Literacy Day 2024 is “Promoting multilingual education: literacy for mutual understanding and peace”.

This theme emphasizes the importance of multilingualism in education and how improving literacy in multiple languages ​​can help promote better communication, mutual understanding and peace across cultures.

The day’s events will focus on ways to integrate a multilingual approach into literacy education, with the aim of building more cohesive and inclusive communities around the world.

UNESCO states: “This year, the theme of the International Day of Languages ​​is ‘Promoting multilingual education: literacy for mutual understanding and peace’. There is an urgent need to harness the transformative potential of literacy to promote mutual understanding, social cohesion and peace.”

“In a world where multilingualism has become a common practice for many people, a multilingual approach to literacy development and education that builds on the first language has particularly effective cognitive, pedagogical and socio-economic benefits in empowering people. This approach helps foster mutual understanding and respect while strengthening community identities and collective histories,” It added.

What has UNESCO done for literacy?

Since 1946, UNESCO has been promoting the goal of universal literacy, believing that literacy is a fundamental human right and plays a vital role in empowering individuals and communities. Lifelong learning to read and write strengthens education and has numerous social and economic benefits. Despite significant progress, 754 million adults worldwide still lack basic literacy skills.

UNESCO recognizes that literacy contributes to sustainable development, promotes better participation in the labour market, improves family health, reduces poverty and expands life opportunities.

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As the world becomes increasingly digital, UNESCO continues to adapt its approach to literacy, evolving its definition to encompass digital literacy and the skills needed for modern society.

UNESCO International Literacy Prizes

UNESCO has been recognizing innovative and impactful literacy projects through the International Literacy Prizes since 1967. More than 512 projects from governments, non-governmental organizations and individuals have been recognized.

The awards promote effective literacy action and encourage the development of literate societies.

The two prestigious awards currently given out are:

• UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prize: Established in 1989 with support from South Korea, this prize focuses on the development of mother tongue-based literacy. Each winner receives a medal, a certificate and a prize of US$20,000.
• UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy: Established in 2005 with support from China, the prize focuses on functional literacy, including the use of technology in education, particularly for rural adults and out-of-school youth. The winner receives a medal, a certificate and a prize of US$30,000.

In short, International Literacy Day 2024 is more than a day of celebration; it is a call to action. As the world faces unprecedented challenges, from climate change to economic inequality, the power of literacy to transform lives and build resilient societies has never been more important. By investing in literacy and making education more inclusive, we can equip everyone with the skills they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

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Source: https://dinhtienhoang.edu.vn
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