"Literacy is not preparation for life; Literacy is life itself!"UNESCO celebrates World Literacy Day on September 8th every year. To know more about why and how this day is celebrated and why it is so important for mankind, read on. Education helps a person to come out from under the shadows of an oppressive life and proceed towards a bright and secure future. Literacy is much more than just educational priorities; it is a decisive investment in the future. Literacy is not only a fundamental right for everyone; it is the foundation of lifelong learning, better lifestyle and well being and a source of income as well. Over the years, the concept of literacy has evolved. Initially it was restricted to reading, writing and learning basic numerical and language skills. But today, the intention is to prepare people for knowledge-oriented and globalized societies. In this articleHistory of International Literacy Day Significance of LiteracyTheme of World Literacy Day 2013Celebrate World Literacy DayHistory of International Literacy Day UNESCO has been celebrating this day for more than 40 years with an intention to keep reminding the international community that literacy is one of the fundamental rights of every individual in this world and it is a foundation for ultimate learning as well. Right from the time UNESCO was created, it laid stress on promoting literacy and insisting on its vital importance as a basic human right. Addressing the challenge of global literacy is, in reality, a big test. Therefore, it pays attention to having partnerships with governments, nonprofit organizations, international agencies and many others to ensure that steps are taken to eradicate illiteracy at the ground level. Strong support of goodwill ambassadors are also worth mentioning in this field. Significance of Literacy Many people get confused between literacy and education. In fact, literacy is the heart of basic education for all and educational opportunities depend on literacy. Literacy is a tool of personal empowerment and is a means of social and human development. It can help in eradicating poverty, curbing population growth, reducing child mortality, attaining gender equality and can also ensure sustainable development along with attaining peace and democracy. Literate parents are more likely to send their children to school, literate people are able to access higher educational opportunities better and literate societies work consistently for betterment and development of the society at large. Theme of World Literacy Day 2013 Theme of the World Literacy Day 2013 is “Literacies for the 21st century”. The main intention of this day is to see a century where every child is able to read and write as well as use his talents to attain self-sufficiency. The focus of this year’s International Literacy Day will be to highlight the need of “basic literacy skills for all”. The effort to equip everyone with advanced literacy skills will commence on this day so as to make it a part of lifelong learning. Celebrate World Literacy Day The best way to celebrate the World literacy day is to recognize the importance of literacy in the lives of children and adults. The initiative to spread literacy should start right from the classroom, your school and your community. This year, the focus is on worldwide literacy needs and many companies and philanthropic organizations support the fight against illiteracy along with the writers, who try to create awareness among people about the importance of education and literacy in life. UNESCO not only works to spread awareness among people, but also monitors and evaluates literacy levels in different parts of the world. You can also participate in the drive and help as many people, including children and adults, to understand the importance of literacy. There is assistance available through UNESCO in different forms and ways. You can take advantage of the training designed to strengthen local statistical capability and support the literacy assessment and monitoring programme. The best thing about World Literacy Day is that the celebration will be carried out for the entire month by spreading awareness and raising funds to help fight illiteracy in the developing world. Do you agree that a child without education is like a bird without wings? Do you know why UNESCO celebrates World Literacy Day? What can we do to spread the message of literacy to the world? Discuss here.
"Literacy is not preparation for life; Literacy is life itself!" UNESCO celebrates World Literacy Day on September 8th every year. To know more about why and how this day is celebrated and why it is so important for mankind, read on.
Education helps a person to come out from under the shadows of an oppressive life and proceed towards a bright and secure future. Literacy is much more than just educational priorities; it is a decisive investment in the future. Literacy is not only a fundamental right for everyone; it is the foundation of lifelong learning, better lifestyle and well being and a source of income as well.
Over the years, the concept of literacy has evolved. Initially it was restricted to reading, writing and learning basic numerical and language skills. But today, the intention is to prepare people for knowledge-oriented and globalized societies.
History of International Literacy Day
UNESCO has been celebrating this day for more than 40 years with an intention to keep reminding the international community that literacy is one of the fundamental rights of every individual in this world and it is a foundation for ultimate learning as well.
Right from the time UNESCO was created, it laid stress on promoting literacy and insisting on its vital importance as a basic human right. Addressing the challenge of global literacy is, in reality, a big test. Therefore, it pays attention to having partnerships with governments, nonprofit organizations, international agencies and many others to ensure that steps are taken to eradicate illiteracy at the ground level. Strong support of goodwill ambassadors are also worth mentioning in this field.
Significance of Literacy
Many people get confused between literacy and education. In fact, literacy is the heart of basic education for all and educational opportunities depend on literacy. Literacy is a tool of personal empowerment and is a means of social and human development. It can help in eradicating poverty, curbing population growth, reducing child mortality, attaining gender equality and can also ensure sustainable development along with attaining peace and democracy.
Literate parents are more likely to send their children to school, literate people are able to access higher educational opportunities better and literate societies work consistently for betterment and development of the society at large.
Theme of World Literacy Day 2013
Theme of the World Literacy Day 2013 is “Literacies for the 21st century”. The main intention of this day is to see a century where every child is able to read and write as well as use his talents to attain self-sufficiency. The focus of this year’s International Literacy Day will be to highlight the need of “basic literacy skills for all”. The effort to equip everyone with advanced literacy skills will commence on this day so as to make it a part of lifelong learning.
Celebrate World Literacy Day
The best way to celebrate the World literacy day is to recognize the importance of literacy in the lives of children and adults. The initiative to spread literacy should start right from the classroom, your school and your community. This year, the focus is on worldwide literacy needs and many companies and philanthropic organizations support the fight against illiteracy along with the writers, who try to create awareness among people about the importance of education and literacy in life.
UNESCO not only works to spread awareness among people, but also monitors and evaluates literacy levels in different parts of the world. You can also participate in the drive and help as many people, including children and adults, to understand the importance of literacy. There is assistance available through UNESCO in different forms and ways. You can take advantage of the training designed to strengthen local statistical capability and support the literacy assessment and monitoring programme.
The best thing about World Literacy Day is that the celebration will be carried out for the entire month by spreading awareness and raising funds to help fight illiteracy in the developing world.
Do you agree that a child without education is like a bird without wings? Do you know why UNESCO celebrates World Literacy Day? What can we do to spread the message of literacy to the world? Discuss here.
