"International Literacy Day, celebrated annually on 8 September, is an opportunity for Governments, civil society and stakeholders to highlight improvements in world literacy rates, and reflect on the world's remaining literacy challenges." (from the UN website)
The UN website for International Literacy Day is quite comprehensive, providing history, background, resources, videos, and official observations. I recommend checking it out.
The day itself was first acknowledged in 1967, with the idea being that by focusing on literacy, individuals, communities, and societies as a whole, are improved.
This day is a big deal. Why do we not acknowledge it more?
As a writer, a reader, and of course as a teacher, I am very aware of the benefits of literacy, and shocked at the number of adults in the world, even the "first world" countries, that are actually illiterate. Literacy isn't finding out what a word means or how to "sound out" letters. It's using language, in all its forms, to function and interpret and comprehend communication in society and life.
I remember hearing that individuals are considered literate if they read, write, and otherwise communicate above a grade-five reading level.
I'm not sure if this is still the guideline or not, but what is shocking is the number of adults who struggle with literacy. Everyone in the world, child or adult, deserve access to quality educational opportunities.
This is one of the goals of International Literacy Day.
It's also a day to celebrate how literacy has improved or enhanced individual lives.
For me, literacy is such a part of my existence it is impossible to separate myself from it. As I tell my students, language arts is reading, writing, viewing, visually representing, listening, and speaking.
If literacy is all of this, how do we separate ourselves from that?
Reading street signs while driving. Ordering from a menu. Filling out insurance forms. Reading the channel guide on TV. Looking at the agenda for a meeting. Just functioning in day-to-day life. How often do we realize the role literacy plays in our lives?
As Scout says in "To Kill a Mockingbird" (one of the best books ever!), "Until I feared I would lose it, I never loved to read. One does not love breathing".
One does not value breathing until one is struggling for breath. One does not understand literacy when you are a literate individual. One only does when struggling to function in society.
By shining a light on literacy, in the world, and in our own communities, we acknowledge its importance. We celebrate it. And then, we can improve it.
I know, if you're reading this, I'm preaching to the choir. I just think it's important to focus on literacy, to celebrate it.
So, I will be acknowledging this day on social media. I have been, and will continue to be, addressing it with my students. And I will be celebrating.
Because, if you can read this, if you can understand it, you are literate. And that's pretty freaking awesome. These imprints of keyboard keys, these squiggles and lines and curves, these all form letters and words and sounds and syllables, that in turn form meanings and emotions and thoughts and connections.
And to me, that seems worth celebrating.
Do you ever think about literacy? What do you think would be an appropriate way to acknowledge World Literacy Day? Will you be celebrating?
I'd love to read your comments and ideas, and don't forget to subscribe to my monthly newsletter, via my contact page. I'm really looking forward to next month's newsletter, as I have something really cool (at least I think so!) that I will be sharing with you.