International Literacy Day is an annual global observance celebrated each year on September 8. The day was established by UNESCO in 1966 to highlight the importance of literacy as a fundamental human right and a cornerstone for sustainable development. The day serves as a reminder of the critical need to promote literacy in order to achieve a more educated, equitable, and peaceful world. According to UNESCO data, in 2022, at least one out of seven adults aged 15 and above (765 million) lacked basic literacy skills. September 2024 Festivals, Events and Holidays Calendar: Complete List of Important National and International Days and Dates. 

Additionally, millions of children are struggling to acquire minimum levels of proficiency in reading, writing and numeracy, while some 250 million children of 6-18 years old are out of school. Scroll down to know more about International Literacy Day 2024 date, history and the significance of the global event.

International Literacy Day 2024 Date

International Literacy Day 2024 will be observed on Sunday, September 8.

International Literacy Day 2024 Theme

International Literacy Day 2024 theme is ‘Promoting multilingual education: Literacy for mutual understanding and peace’.

International Literacy Day History

International Literacy Day was declared by UNESCO on October 26, 1966 at the 14th session of UNESCO's General Conference. It was celebrated for the first time in 1967. Since then, the annual celebrations of International Literacy Day (ILD) have taken place on September 8 around the world to remind policy-makers, practitioners, and the public of the critical importance of literacy for creating more literate, just, peaceful, and sustainable society. Literacy is a fundamental human right for all. International Literacy Day aim is to highlight the importance of literacy to individuals, communities and societies.

International Literacy Day Significance

International Literacy Day is an important global event that draws the attention of people and communities to the importance of literacy and the challenges faced by millions of people who lack basic reading and writing skills. Literacy is crucial for gender equality.

By promoting literacy, the day supports efforts to empower women and girls, enabling them to participate fully in society and the economy. The day emphasises that literacy is not just about education, but also about empowerment and social inclusion and encourages people of all ages to engage in learning activities.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 06, 2024 06:00 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).