NMIRA LITERACY CELEBRATIONS
International Literacy Day
September 8, 2011
Literacy for Peace
This year’s International Literacy Day, celebrated world-wide on 8 September, will focus on the link between literacy and peace. During a ceremony in New Delhi, India, UNESCO will award the international Confucius and King Sejong literacy prizes to projects in Burundi, Mexico, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the United States of America.
Also in New Delhi, an international conference on Women’s Literacy for Inclusive and Sustainable Development is being organized by UNESCO’s E9 initiative, from 8 to 10 September.
Literacy is a human right, a tool of personal empowerment and a means for social and human development. Educational opportunities depend on literacy.
Literacy is at the heart of basic education for all, and essential for eradicating poverty, reducing child mortality, curbing population growth, achieving gender equality and ensuring sustainable development, peace and democracy.
There are good reasons why literacy is at the core of Education for All (EFA).
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 .
Today one in five adults is still not literate and two-thirds of them are women while 72 million children are out of school.
Since its foundation in 1946, UNESCO has been at the forefront of global literacy efforts and is dedicated to keeping literacy high on national, regional and international agendas. However, with some 759 million adults lacking minimum literacy skills, literacy for all remains an elusive target.
UNESCO’s literacy programs aim to create a literate world and promote literacy for all.
How Will Your Council Celebrate
International Literacy Day? In past years IRA councils and individual members have found a variety of ways to observe International Literacy Day, from organizing themed readings in local schools and libraries to supporting national and international literacy programs. All year round, councils are invited to contact their local Rotary clubs to explore ways they can work together in support of literacy. See the IRA ILD Kit provided here to assist your council in making International Literacy Day a memorable event four your community. | International Literacy Day Kit
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Read Across America
March 2
Read Across America
NEA's Read Across America is an annual reading motivation and awareness program that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading on March 2, the birthday of beloved children's author Dr. Seuss.
Children's Book Week
May 2 - 8, 2011
Children's Book Week May 2-8, 2011
Children's Book Week is a time to celebrate books and reading in classrooms, libraries, bookstores and homes.
