International Literacy Day (ILD) is an international observance held on September 8 every year to promote literacy and raise awareness of the importance of literacy for individuals, communities, and societies. It was proclaimed by UNESCO in 1966 and has been celebrated annually ever since.
The theme for International Literacy Day 2023 is “Promoting literacy for a world in transition: Building the foundation for sustainable and peaceful societies.” This theme highlights the importance of literacy in helping people to adapt to the challenges of a changing world and to build more inclusive, peaceful, just, and sustainable societies.
There are many ways to celebrate International Literacy Day. Some people organize events such as book fairs, literacy workshops, and reading competitions. Others volunteer their time to teach literacy skills to adults or children. Still others simply take the time to read a book or article to themselves or to someone else.
One of the ways Outskirts Press celebrates literacy is with our sponsorship of LitWorld. Like Outskirts Press, LitWorld believes in the power of reading and writing; just as we know all our authors have a unique story to tell, LitWorld values each child’s personal story as part of the fabric of our world.
LitWorld’s programs include LitClub, a weekly after-school literacy and empowerment program that brings together mentors and small groups of young students to share stories and develop as leaders. Along with Scholastic, LitWorld hosts LitCamp each summer, reaching over a million preschool through eighth-grade students yearly with engaging lessons that teach them how to embrace and use their voices to make a difference in their communities. We appreciate how nimble LitWorld has been during the pandemic, creating and offering virtual resources to supplement what children have lost by having limited access to libraries and schools.
