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Why September 8?
In September 1966, the World Conference of
Ministers of Education on the Eradication of
Illiteracy was held in Tehran, Iran. One
recommendation resulting from this meeting was
to proclaim September 8, the opening date of the
conference, International Literacy Day. The United
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO) inaugurated its official
observance of International Literacy Day in 1967.
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Literacy is a cause for celebration since there are now close to four billion literate people in the world. However, literacy for all – children, youth and adults - is still an unaccomplished goal and an ever moving target. A combination of ambitious goals, insufficient and parallel efforts, inadequate resources and strategies, and continued underestimation of the magnitude and complexity of the task accounts for this unmet goal. Lessons learnt over recent decades show that meeting the goal of universal literacy calls not only for more effective efforts but also for renewed political will and for doing things differently at all levels - locally, nationally and internationally.
International Literacy Day, observed annually on September 8, focuses attention on worldwide literacy needs. More than 780 million of the world’s adults (nearly two-thirds of whom are women) do not know how to read or write, and between 94 and 115 million children lack access to education.
September 8 is an occasion to give hope to the millions of women, men and children who cannot read or write even their own names. International Literacy Day is a timely reminder to the world about the importance of literacy for individuals, families, communities and whole societies.
“Literacy is not merely a cognitive skill of reading, writing and arithmetic, for literacy helps in the acquisition of learning and life skills that, when strengthened by usage and application throughout people’s lives, lead to forms of individual, community and societal development that are sustainable,” says Koïchiro Matsuura, UNESCO Director-General in his message on the occasion of International Literacy Day 2006.
The centerpiece of each year’s international observance of International Literacy Day is the awarding of five UNESCO literacy prizes, which honor outstanding local, regional, or national literacy programs. Literacy projects in China, the United States, Nigeria, Senegal, and the United Republic of Tanzania are the winners of the five prizes this year.
Facts about International Literacy Day.
- International Literacy Day is celebrated each year on September 8th.
- International Literacy Day was first observed on September 8, 1967.
- The aim of International Literacy Day is to focus attention on the need to promote worldwide literacy.
- It is estimated that 860 million of the world’s adults do not know how to read or write (nearly two-thirds of this number are women), and that more than 100 million children lack access to education.
- On International Literacy Day, individuals, organizations, and countries throughout the world renew their efforts to promote literacy and demonstrate their commitment to providing education for all.
- The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is the founder of International Literacy Day, and is responsible for appointing a jury to award international literacy prizes.
- Three literacy prizes are awarded on International Literacy Day. They are: The International Reading Association Literacy Award, two King Sejong Prizes and two Confucius Prizes. King Sejong Prizes give special consideration to the creation,development and dissemination of mother tongue languages in developing countries,while the Confucius Prizes aim at rewarding outstanding activities in the field of literacy for rural adults and out-of-school youth, particularly women and girls.• The International Reading Association has sponsored the International Reading Association Literacy Award since 1979. The award is presented at the UNESCO celebration of International Literacy Day.
- As part of a network of literacy organizations, the International Reading Association cosponsors an annual celebration of International Literacy Day, which typically includes featured speakers, representatives from a wide range of governmental and nongovernmental institutions, members of the press, and invited guests.
- State and provincial councils and national affiliates of the International Reading Association often sponsor International Literacy Day activities and celebrations.
- Because International Literacy Day coincides with the beginning of a new school year in many countries, classroom teachers use this day to recognize the importance of literacy in the lives of both children and adults.
In its resolution A/RES/56/116, the General Assembly proclaimed the ten year period beginning 1 January 2003 the United Nations Literacy Decade. In resolution A/RES/57/166, the Assembly welcomed the
International Plan of Action for the Decade
and decided that Unesco should take a coordinating role in activities undertaken at the international level within the framework of the Decade.
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