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Friday, 07 September 2012by TiiaM

8th September: International Literacy Day

Tomorrow, 8th of September, is the International Literacy Day. To bring out the multiple uses and value that literacy brings to people the theme of this year’s Literacy Day is Literacy and Peace. The International Literacy Day has been celebrated since 1966

 According to UNESCO, in the world today there are about 1 billion non-literate adults. Literacy contributes to peace as it brings people closer to attaining individual freedoms and better understanding the world, as well as preventing or resolving conflict. The connection between literacy and peace can be seen by the fact that in unstable democracies or in conflict-affected countries it is harder to establish or sustain a literate environment.

 “Education brings sustainability to all the development goals, and literacy is the foundation of all learning. It provides individuals with the skills to understand the world and shape it, to participate in democratic processes and have a voice, and also to strengthen their cultural identity.” Irina Bokova, UNESCO Director General

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