International Literacy Day – 8 September
September 8 was proclaimed International Literacy Day by UNESCO on November 17, 1965. It was first celebrated in 1966. Its aim is to highlight the importance of literacy to individuals, communities and societies. On International Literacy Day each year, UNESCO reminds the international community of the status of literacy and adult learning globally. Celebrations take place around the world.
Some 860 million adults lack minimum literacy skills; one in five adults is still not literate and two-thirds of them are women; 100 million children are out-of-school and many more attend irregularly or drop out.
Celebrations of International Literacy Day have included specific themes, in line with Education For All goals and other United Nations programs such as the United Nations Literacy Decade.
A roundtable discussion will be held in Yerevan today to sum up the results of a survey titled “What do You Read?” The aim of the survey is to reveal the most read books and most popular contemporary young adult writers. The roundtable discussion and the survey are held as part of Yerevan World Book Capital 2012 event series.