On its website, UNESCO states that in 2020, at least 763 million young people and adults worldwide were illiterate, two thirds of them women. It is almost incomprehensible that in the 21st century, in an age of advanced technologies that have drastically changed the way we live and perceive the world around us, almost 10% of the world's population is still illiterate.

It is almost incomprehensible that in the 21^st century, in an age of advanced technologies that have drastically changed the way we live and perceive the world around us, almost 10% of the world’s population is still illiterate.

September 8th was proclaimed as International Literacy Day by UNESCO in 1966. The proclamation was intended to remind the public of the importance of literacy for human dignity and of literacy as a basic human right. Despite the progress made, literacy challenges persist for nearly 770 million illiterate people worldwide, the majority of whom are women, who still lack the basic skills of reading and writing and are therefore especially vulnerable.

This year’s International Literacy Day is celebrated under the theme “Promoting literacy for a world in transition: Building the foundation for sustainable and peaceful societies”, highlighting the role of literacy in the development of a more inclusive, peaceful, just, and sustainable society.