Voices International - September 2005
September 8th : International Literacy Day
September 8th is International Literacy Day. The United Nations established this day to focus public opinion on the global problem of illiteracy. Increasing awareness of this major issue aims to inspire individuals and governments to take action and ensure that every child has the opportunity to receive a quality education and to learn how to read and write.

Worldwide, approximately one billion people are illiterate and over 100 million children have no opportunity to attend school. Basic education is a basic human right as established by the United Nations Convention on Human Rights.

Literacy for all, however, is still an unrealized goal. A combination of ambitious goals, insufficient efforts, inadequate resources and strategies, and continued underestimation of the size of the task accounts for this unmet goal. Lessons learned 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 action on all levels - locally, nationally and internationally.

In its resolution A/RES/56/116, the General Assembly of the United Nations proclaimed the ten year period beginning January 1st, 2003 the United Nations Literacy Decade. "The United Nations Literacy Decade (2003-2012) aims to extend the use of literacy to those who do not currently have access to it." Over 861 million adults are in that position, and over 113 million children are not in school and therefore not gaining access to literacy either. The Decade will focus on the needs of adults, with the goal to provide people everywhere with the literacy skills to communicate within their own community, in the wider society, and beyond.

Source: United Nations, http://www.un.org/depts/dhl/literacy/

Taking Action for International Literacy Day
  • Request a Brick by Brick: Education for All Children schoolbuilding kit and help to promote the goal of education for all through Free The Children's schoolbuilding program. Visit our website to find out more.
  • Better educate yourself by subscribing to relevant newsletters, bulletins and magazines
  • Do research on websites and in your local library
  • Hold a fundraiser, or volunteer to help promote education and literacy for all

Useful Links:

UN Literacy Decade
Find lots of information about the UN Literacy Decade, declarations and conventions on literacy, interesting articles, and lots more!

UNESCO Resources on Literacy
Tons of resources on literacy. A great site for doing research for school projects and to learn more about the issue.

Free The Children
Learn about Free The Children's schoolbuilding efforts and how you can help make sure that all children have the opportunity to attend school and learn how to read and write.