September is Life Literacy Month!

International Literacy Day was established in 1965 by UNESCO to highlight the importance of literacy to individuals, communities and societies.

Over 796 million adults throughout the world lack minimum literacy skills. In fact, one in five adults is not literate and two-thirds of those adults are women. To make matters more concerning, 75 million children are out-of-school and many more attend irregularly or drop out. In depth research by UNESCO demonstrates that there is a clear connection between illiteracy, severe poverty, and prejudice against women.   Here in Canada, four out of 10 adults, age 16 to 65, struggle with low literacy.

On International Literacy Day each year, UNESCO reminds the international community of the status of literacy and adult learning globally. This year, International Literacy Day is Thursday, September 8.  This year’s challenge focuses on literacy and essential skills for everyone, everywhere. Try out some of these activities to celebrate International Literacy Day –and continue to practice literacy and essential skills every day!

1. Read a book to a child

2. Have a child read a book to an adult

3. Start a blog

4. Take a professional development course

5. Join a social media platform –Linked In, Facebook, Twitter, etc.

6. Write a letter to an old friend –the snail mail way!

7. Share this list with friends and coworkers –and dare them to take the challenge!

8. Play a game of Scrabble

9. Look up and learn a new word (and continue to do so every day for a month!)

10. Use a new form of technology (Smartphone, self‐serve checkout, etc.)