Literacy: lit·er·a·cy /ˈlɪtərəsi/
–noun
1. The quality or state of being literate, especially the ability to read and write.
2. The condition or quality of being knowledgeable in a particular subject or field.

Today is International Literacy Day! Spread the word.

Illiteracy Facts:

The United Nations defines illiteracy as the inability to read and write a simple sentence in any language.

According to UNESCO, in the world today there are about 1 billion non-literate adults.

* This 1 billion is approximately 26 percent of the world's adult population.
* Women make up two-thirds of all non-literates.
* 98 percent of all non-literates live in developing countries.
* In the least developed countries, the overall illiteracy rate is 49 percent.
* 52 percent of all non-literates live in India and China.
* Africa as a continent has a literacy rate of less than 60 percent.
* In Sub-Saharan Africa since 1980, primary school enrolment has declined, going from 58 percent to 50 percent.
* In all developing countries, the percentage of children aged 6-11 not attending school is 15 percent. In the least developed countries, it is 45 percent.
(UNESCO 1998)

A bit of history:

International Literacy Day was established in 1965 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). It is celebrated around the world, every year on September 8.

In 1990, the United Nations proclaimed International Literacy Year, with the desire to boost world literacy.

In 2003, it proclaimed United Nations Literacy Decade, which is to last for 10 years and is meant to recognize and support literacy as an important step to personal development and to the progress of nations.

[Quote UNESCO]:

"Each year from 1966 UNESCO has celebrated INTERNATIONAL LITERACY DAY with the aim to sensitize and mobilize international public opinion and to elicit their interest and active support for literacy activities – one of UNESCO’s major preoccupations since its first General Conference in 1946. On this day, the Director-General of UNESCO addresses a message to the world, appealing to individuals, organizations and states to demonstrate their support and solidarity for literacy and to promote non-formal education for all, particularly for those who have been excluded from the school system."

[End quote]

Of course, it takes more than just talking about it for something to get done and so, around the World, special activities are being planned to promote literacy and celebrate learning.

- UNESCO's portal (the text link got messed up on preview, no matter what I did... it was trying to add a little emoticon in the middle of the address... Just google UNESCO and it should come up right on top, lol.
- UNICEF
- The Literacy Site (1-click a day campaign)
- United Nations
- Summer Institute of Linguistics
- Find a Literacy Program near you
- National Institute for Literacy
- ProLiteracy Worldwide International Programs
- The National Book Scholarship Fund
- Global Literacy Project
- International Reading Association
- National Literacy Trust
- World Literacy Crusade

How you can help

You may be asking yourself... "what can I possibly do to promote literacy?". Well... I remember that, when I was young, my High School had a program led by teachers where young students who had difficulties could receive help from teachers in their community. Students who were able could volunteer to help the teachers as well. And so, at 15, I volunteered 2 evenings a week to give children a little boost on their grasp of reading and writing.

Of course, this is just an example... But there probably is a literacy program near you with which you could volunteer. Maybe by calling your local schools, your city hall, or a government organization, you would be directed to the right place to find information on how to help in your own part of the world. And there are always the International Organizations listed above, if you wish to help make a difference worldwide.

Obviously, there is more to literacy than just learning to write and read, but it is the basis for everything else... at least in my opinion.

And now, let me share with you some of the art I have found on the subject, here on dA.


-- The Illiterate Shakedown
-- My literacy story
-- A Cry for Help