“Learning helps us to build up our inner confidence.”
Introduction
Literacy is an important aspect of this digital world. Nowadays, the world is growing fast and vast. To survive in this competitive world, being literate is become an inescapable thing. To understand the importance of Literacy, UNESCO declared the date of 8th September as an International Literacy Day on October 26 in 1966. The aim of celebrating International Literacy Day was to highlight the importance of literacy to individuals, communities, and societies. Literacy day is celebrated in several countries. Each year a theme is declared and many activities and campaign is started on the theme which leads towards the awareness in public about the literacy. The themes are based on present situations.
History about International Literacy Day
We all were aware of a global problem about illiteracy. It’s been a fifty-five since the first International Literacy Day was celebrated. We can see the good progress about the literacy day globally. The improvement is the results of the effort were made to face the crisis of illiteracy.
What you meant by Literacy? We can define literacy as ‘a state of a person who is able to read and write.’ A person who can read and write is able to communicate confidently in each field. A literate person is able to read a book, a restaurant menu, road sign, an important instructions, etc. Being Literate is a most valuable aspect in this era.
The International Literacy day was first envisaged at the “World Conference of Minister of Education on the Eradication of illiteracy” which was held in Tehran, Iran in 1965. The following year UNESCO took the lead and declared 8th September as International Literacy Day with the aim of, “to remind the international community of the importance of Literacy for individuals, communities and societies and the need of intensified efforts towards more literate society”. As a result, one year later the challenge was globally accepted of ending illiteracy by participating in the first International Literacy Day.
International Literacy Day Timeline and Celebrations themes
1965 – International Literacy Day is envisaged
The discussion was held in Tehran, Iran at the “World Conference of the minister of Education on the Eradication of illiteracy.”
1966 – UNESCO declared 8th September as International Literacy Day.
1967 – First International Literacy Day
Activities and campaigns started by governments’ schools and communities by participating in International Literacy day.
1990 – International Literacy Year
The literacy role was highlighted critically at the “World Conference on Education for all” in Jomtien, Thailand.
2015 – The Incheon Declaration
The UN’s “Sustainable development Goals” are adopted by the world leader at the “World Education Forum” held in Incheon, Republic of Korea, promoting the globally access to the equality education and learning opportunities to the people.
2017 – Literacy in a Digital world
The Literacy Day focusing on the literacy skills which are necessary to run digital- mediated societies.
Some celebrations themes from past years
Theme for 2007-2008:- “Literacy and Health”
Theme for 2009-2010:- “Literacy and Empowerment”
Theme for 2011-2012:- “Literacy and Peace”
Theme for 2015:- “Sustainable as well as Literacy society”
Theme for 2017:- “Literacy in a Digital World”
Theme for 2018:- “Literacy and Skills Development”
Theme for 2019:- “Literacy and Multilingualism”
Theme for 2020:- “Literacy teaching and learning in the COVID-19 crisis and beyond”
Activities to celebrate International Literacy Day
Volunteer at local Public Library – Libraries are the hub of knowledge. That place help people to learn and grow by reading and writing.
Starts a competition of reading or writing – Start a competition between people for reading and writing with fun.
Starts a book club – Book club is a good option to keep interacting with people and gathering and sharing knowledge.
Tutor a child or an adult or an illiterate people – Help the illiterate peoples to read and write and help them to grow.
Host a Speaker – Invite or collaborate with an author, professor or a teacher to give a speech and share their knowledge with us.
Give a book as gift – Give a book as a gift on International Literacy Day.
Some Reasons Why Literacy is important to everyone?
Knowledge is a power – A literate person has an upper hand on the knowledge from which the person can share the knowledge and help societies to learn and grow.
Improves brain health – Reading, Writing and working with numbers keeps brain active and sharp.
Benefits of Employment Advancement – Being a literate person possibility of employment arise individually.
Confidently attend the gathering – A person who can read and write has been called literate. That person can build up a great confidence in the society.
Help to having Market Knowledge – Literacy help the societies and communities to grow the market knowledge.
Also Read : 8 Lesser Known Facts About Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
FAQs for International Literacy Day
1. When is International Literacy Day?
8th September was declared as an International Literacy Day on 26th October 1966 at 14th session of UNESCO’s General Conference. It was celebrated the first time in 1967.
2. What is important of Literacy?
UNESCO and its partners promote the day to underline the significance of literacy for health societies, with a strong emphasis on epidemics and communicable diseases such HIV, TB and Malaria.
3. Why International Literacy day is celebrated?
Celebrating Literacy day is to promote the human attention towards the literacy and know their rights for social and human development.
The article is written by Devyani. Her Instagram id is @dj_writeups
The article is Edited by Alisha Srivastava. Her Instagram id is @yeah_me_alisha
The article is Curated by Vaibhav. His Instagram id is @frameshade
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