8th September - INTERNATIONAL LITERACY DAY

Image Credit:
reading.org

Endorsed by UNESCO, this date is celebrated for disseminating literacy awareness among the world’s illiterate community.
But what exactly is LITERACY?

Image Credit: UNESCO

Literacy has traditionally been described as the ability to read and write; UNESCO, though, defines literacy as the "ability to identify, understand, interpret, create, communicate, compute and use printed and written materials associated with varying contexts. Literacy involves a continuum of learning in enabling individuals to achieve their goals, to develop their knowledge and potential, and to participate fully in their community and wider society." indeed, literacy is a human right and essential for eradicating poverty, reducing child mortality, curbing population growth, achieving gender equality and ensuring sustainable development, peace and democracy. This year UNESCO celebrates the power of women’s literacy.

If you’re curious, read Irina Bokova’s message (Director-General of UNESCO) on this occasion here.

Image Credit: UNESCO

If you are looking for more resources, take a look at

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Literacy

http://www.unesco.org/en/literacy/

http://www.reading.org/general/conferences/InternationalLiteracyDay.aspx

Before you go...today, once we are celebrating International Literacy Day and the beginning of a new school year, take some time to listen to this inspirational talk by Sir Ken Robinson "Bring on the Learning Revolution!"

Let's innovate, let's revolutionize education, let's teach creatively, let's "take the less traveled road", folks!!!It's hard, yeah, but the earlier, the better. According to UNESCO "A good quality basic education equips pupils with literacy skills for life and further learning; literate parents are more likely to send their children to school; literate people are better able to access continuing educational opportunities; and literate societies are better geared to meet pressing development."