8th September was proclaimed as International Literacy Day by UNESCO in 1966 to focus upon the importance of literacy for individuals, communities, and societies and make efforts for more literate societies. United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development has literacy as one of its key components.
Literacy for a human-centered recovery
Narrowing the digital divide
Indian Literacy Day 2021 aims to explore the possibilities as to how literacy can help in building a foundation for human-centered recovery, with particular emphasis on the interplay of literacy and digital skills that are required by non-literate youth and adults. The aim will also be to make technology-enabled literacy learning inclusive and meaningful so that no one is left behind. The International Literacy Day 2021 will provide an opportunity to reimagine future learning and literacy teaching.
Some noteworthy facts:
- 773 million adults and young people lack basic literacy skills;
- 617 million children and adolescents are not achieving minimum proficiency levels in reading and mathematics;
- During the initial phase of the pandemic, schools were closed, disrupting the education of 62.3% of the world’s student population of 1.09 billion;
- Adult literacy and education were absent in initial education response plans. Therefore many youth and adults with no or low literacy skills have had limited access to life-saving information.
Related Websites
- UNESCO International Literacy Day
- International literacy prizes
- Literacy and lifelong learning
- Global Alliance for Literacy
- Effective Literacy and Numeracy Practices Database
- UNESCO Institute for Statistics
- Five decades of literacy work
Documents
- International Literacy Day: UNESCO Concept Note
- Reading the past, writing the future – Fifty years of promoting literacy
- Harnessing the Potential of ICTs: Literacy and Numeracy Programmes using Radio, TV, Mobile Phones, Tablets and Computers
- Education 2030: Incheon Declaration and Framework for Action (2015)
For more information click here.

Mahak Rathee
Global Representative (India)
Roya Institute of Global Justice