International Literacy Day

Today, September 8th, is International Literacy Day. The goal of international Literacy Day, which was first proclaimed by UNESCO in 1965, is to highlight the importance of literacy to individuals, communities and societies. It also serves as an opportunity to check in on the status of literacy and adult learning around the world.

http://www.un.org/Depts/dhl/literacy/

In a statement today, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today urged the international community to step up efforts to improve the literacy skills of the "staggering" number of people worldwide unable to read and write.

http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2009/sgsm12423.doc.htm

According to the International Reading Association, more than 780 million of the world's adults (nearly two-thirds of whom are women) do not know how to read or write, and between 94 and 115 million children lack access to education.

http://www.reading.org/General/Conferences/InternationalLiteracyDay.aspx

Here in the District of Columbia, it is estimated that almost one in five adults reads at what the U.S. Department of Education considers the "below basic" level. D.C. LEARNs' most recent fact sheet on D.C. adult literacy skills can be found here:

www.dclearns.org/documents/factsheet_skills_1.6.pdf

Later this month, D.C. LEARNs will be releasing additional information on the state of local adult literacy programs, and on the impact that low literacy has on families and communities throughout Washington, D.C.

UPDATE: D.C. LEARNs Press Release on International Literacy Day.