International Literacy Day 2023

The National Library of the Philippines joins the celebration of International Literacy Day (ILD) with the theme “Promoting literacy for a world in transition: Building the foundation for sustainable and peaceful societies.”

Spearheaded by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), ILD has been celebrated annually around the world since 1967 to remind the public of the importance of literacy as a matter of dignity and human rights, and to advance the literacy agenda towards a more literate and sustainable society.

According to UNESCO, literacy challenges persist with at least 763 million young people and adults lacking basic literacy skills in 2020. ILD2023 will be an opportunity to join efforts to accelerate progress towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4) on education and lifelong learning and to reflect on the role of literacy in building more inclusive, peaceful, just, and sustainable societies.

In the Philippines, Proclamation No. 1886, s. 1979 was signed declaring September 8 of every year as National Literacy Day, in support of promoting the significant role of literacy in the Philippine economic, social, and cultural development.

UNESCO ILD webpage: https://www.unesco.org/en/days/literacy

ILD 2023 Poster: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000386708

Proclamation No. 1886, s. 1979: https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1979/08/17/proclamation-no-1886-s-1979/