International Literacy Day: Inspirations from literacy to citizenship
“Literacy for people, the planet and prosperity”: this is the theme chosen by UNESCO for this year’s International Literacy Day, highlighting that literacy is a fundamental human right for all and opens the door to greater freedoms and global citizenship.
Observed on 8 September, International Literacy Day was established by UNESCO in 1966 to annually highlight the importance of literacy in building more informed, just, peaceful and sustainable societies.
Despite the progress made over the past decades, significant challenges remain. According to UNESCO, in 2024, at least 739 million young people and adults worldwide did not have basic literacy skills.
This year, UNESCO proposes three avenues for reflection: “Looking back”, to take stock of the progress achieved; “Looking deeper”, to gain a better understanding of persistent and emerging challenges; and “Looking ahead”, to define future literacy agendas in a rapidly changing world.
To mark the 60th anniversary of International Literacy Day, UNESCO published the report Sixty years of international learning about literacy, which brings together data and lessons learned from six decades of international work on literacy.
Literacy and citizenship: multiple pathways
The UNESCO Chair on Communication, Media and Information Literacy and Citizenship (ESCS/LIACOM) is joining this celebration with a collection of suggestions and reflections from faculty members across UPL, representing a wide range of academic fields.
These different perspectives reflect an understanding of literacy as a fundamental right, a collective responsibility and a foundation for lifelong learning, highlighting the many pathways that connect literacy and citizenship.
“Reading and writing are a technology capable of (un)folding time. Artificial inventions that allow us to suspend our days and build futures.” – Ângelo Cid Neto, Associate Professor at the School of Dance
“One food choice may seem insignificant, but millions of choices can transform the health of people and the planet.” — Rute Borrego, Associate Professor at the Lisbon School of Health
“In a society where State intervention is relevant at so many important levels, the need for tax education and literacy plays a particularly significant role today.” Suggested reading: A Joaninha e os Impostos, by Clotilde Celorico Palma, faculty member at ISCAL. — Orlando da Costa Gomes, Full Coordinating Professor at ISCAL
See the faculty members’ contributions in the UNESCO Chair’s LinkedIn post.
