September 8 is commemorated globally as International Literacy Day. It was initiated by a proclamation of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in 1966 with the primary objective of creating literacy-related awareness and raise concerns over the issues pertaining to literacy that exist worldwide. It also is a reminder to us about the vitality of being literate, which is a basic human right, as well.
Literacy may be defined as “the quality or state of being able to read and write.” The very fact that you, right now, are able to read and comprehend this editorial implies that you are literate. However, there are many across the globe, who cannot. We understand that the ability to read and write is like basic bread and butter for us, humans, without which our survival seems difficult.
Historically, International Literacy Day was born at the World Conference of Ministers of Education on the Eradication of Illiteracy held at Tehran in Iran, in 1965. Following this event, UNESCO, on October 26, 1966, adapted September 8, as the International Literacy Day, to be observed every year to highlight the importance of literacy for individuals and the global society at large. The inaugural World Literacy Day was celebrated on September 8, 1967, and ever since, it has been an annual global event that is celebrated with great enthusiasm and splendour.
The issue of literacy also happens to be a key component of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which targets young people and look to achieve maximum rates of literacy for them. That apart, adults who lack these skills are also provided with opportunities to acquire the same.
Where we often seek happiness in materialism, imagine the contentment of enabling a person to read and write! On this day, various educational institutions come to the forefront and motivate those who face obstacles in the path of learning to read and write. The student community steps forward to volunteer and tutor people who want to become literate. That aside, governmental bodies also come forward and organise awareness campaigns at the grassroots level to formulate some of the best policies that could aid in wiping off the issue of illiteracy in totality.
International Literacy Day is a theme-based event wherein, each year, a theme aiming to build awareness around specific issues of illiteracy, is set. The theme for this year is “Transforming Literacy Learning Spaces”, which can be thought of as a pathway towards revolutionising the very concept of literacy learning spaces to build pliability and guarantee eminent, impartial and all-encompassing education for everyone.
So then, why is literacy considered to be so important? Here are a few reasons:
a) Reading, writing and working with alphabets simply stimulates the human brain and helps to keep it healthy, while also reducing the risk of developing dementia or Alzheimer’s at a later stage in life.
b) Being literate enhances social engagement and elevates the levels of communication.
c) Being literate means possessing the basic skills that one needs to land a job, thus leading to the solution of the issue of employment, while also empowering one with dignity and self-worth.
In this situation, what can we all do this International Literacy Day to make the world a better place? Consider these ideas:
a) Donate your old books to the ones who truly need them.
b) Gift a book to absolutely anyone. Most people like reading.
c) Gather a group of people who may be interested in donating their old books as well and start a lending library of sorts.
d) Offer a helping hand to anyone who attempts to become literate but is unable to do so.
At the end of the day, we have to realise that illiteracy is a serious global concern, and not just in affluent societies but also in third world countries. It deserves attention and immediate resolution. We have to regularly introspect and be thankful for the fact that we are able to read and write. Hence, we have to be grateful to the ones who enabled us to acquire this treasure called Literacy.
Happy International Literacy Day!
