International Literacy Day – September 8 2015

September 8^th is celebrated as International Literacy Day, worldwide.

UNESCO dedicated this day in 1965 and being celebrated since 1966.

This year’s celebrations is dedicated to the exploration of critical links and synergy between literacy and the future Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s are to be adopted by UN General Assembly this September)

This day is celebrated to highlight the role of literacy in the development of individuals, communities and humanity as a whole.

To raise public awareness, locally, nationally and globally the role of literacy and the literate society.

Brings together governments, international organisations, NGO’s, educational institutions, individuals, and private sectors to highlight their role in the promotion of literacy

Theme of 2015 – Literacy and Sustainable Societies

Literacy is a key driver for sustainable development. Literacy skills are the prerequisite for the learning of a broader set of knowledge, skills, attitudes and values, required for creating sustainable societies. At the same time, progress in areas of sustainable development, such as health and agriculture, serves as an enabling factor in the promotion of literacy and literate environments.

The UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy

• Established in 2005, financially supported by the Government of People’s Republic of China
• In recognition of the activities of outstanding individuals, governments or governmental agencies and NGOs who work for the promotion of literacy among rural adults, out of school youth, woman and girls
• Consists of two monetary awards of US$20,000, a medal and a diploma awarded to each prize-winner.
• Offers a study visit to literacy project sites in China.
• Recognizes the activities of outstanding individuals, governments or governmental agencies and NGOs whose work in literacy serves rural adults and out-of-school youth, particularly women and girls.