International Literacy Day (ILD), celebrated annually on September 8, shines a spotlight on global literacy needs. This year’s theme is “Literacy and Skills Development.”
Despite progress made, literacy challenges persist and at the same time the demands for skills required for work evolve rapidly. This year ILD explores and highlights integrated approaches that simultaneously can support the development of literacy and skills to ultimately improve people’s lives and work and contribute to equitable and sustainable societies. For ILD 2018, “skills” means knowledge, skills and competencies required for employment, careers and livelihoods, particularly technical and vocational skills, along with transferable skills and digital skills. For further reading on this topic, see the Concept Note on the UNESCO website.
