INTERNATIONAL LITERACY DAY 2025

International Literacy Day (ILD) is observed annually on September 8, as declared by UNESCO in 1966. It serves as a global call to action to promote literacy as a tool of empowerment and as a stepping stone toward a more inclusive, peaceful, and sustainable world. Each year, the day is marked with a theme that reflects current global priorities. In 2025, the focus is on how literacy can help societies navigate a world in transition—whether due to climate change, technological advancement, conflict, or social transformation. Yet, in 2025, over 770 million people worldwide still lack basic literacy skills—two-thirds of them are women. These numbers are a sobering reminder that we have a long way to go before literacy is a universal right, not a privilege.

THEMES 2025

In times of change, literacy provides more than just the ability to read—it provides the tools to adapt, communicate, innovate, and resist misinformation. It empowers individuals to engage in their communities and economies, take control of their lives, and participate in building a better future. The 2025 theme encourages all of us to ask: • How can literacy help people navigate a changing world? • What are we doing to make literacy inclusive and accessible for all? • How can digital and environmental literacy be integrated into traditional learning?

How We Can All Make a Difference

No matter who you are—an educator, student, parent, employer, or simply a global citizen—you have a role to play in promoting literacy: • Donate books to local schools or literacy programs • Volunteer to teach or mentor at community learning centers • Support digital literacy initiatives, especially for underserved groups • Raise awareness about the importance of literacy through social media • Incorporate reading into daily life—at home, at work, or in your community

OVERVIEW

Literacy is a fundamental human right and the foundation for broader learning, critical thinking, and social development Around 754 million young people and adults lack basic literacy skills—and millions of children remain out of school

When: Observed globally on September 8, 2025 Established by UNESCO in 1966 and first celebrated in 1967, following initiatives from the 1965 Tehran conference aimed at eradicating illiteracy

CONCLUSION

Literacy is the bridge between poverty and opportunity, between exclusion and participation, between chaos and peace. On International Literacy Day, let’s reaffirm our commitment to making literacy a reality for all. Because when people can read and write, they can change their lives—and the world.