People who are aware of “International Literacy Day 2022” must know that this day is celebrated on the 8th of September, every year. It was declared, or we can say, that it was started by UNESCO on 26 October 1966 at the fourth session of UNESCO’s general conference. Now, since we are talking about literacy and that too dedicating a day to celebrate it every year without missing out on it, one thing might have crossed everyone’s mind.

Why do we celebrate it? Why do we feel the importance or the need for people to observe and celebrate it?!

It’s not something that just I would feel but also that many people thought of and then made this decision maybe or took this decision, maybe because they wanted the people around the globe to understand the depth of the importance that literacy holds because they thought that it brought and can also bring about many betterment changes/developments in communities, societies and not just that but also among ourselves, within us individuals to outshine or positive effect and the best part? Increase the literacy rate all over the world.

Since we face the long pandemic, COVID-19 has disrupted a lot of learning experiences for students on a very big scale. At the time of such a worldwide crisis, I am pretty sure people try to make efforts without affecting others to increase the literacy rate but I am pretty sure a lot couldn’t get it.

The best part about this generation developing and growing up in this generation is that we have advanced in so many aspects such as the online concept of learning where people can distance themselves, not be in one-on-one contact physically but virtually.

This not only helped a lot of kids but helped the world in every way it could. The students who couldn’t go to schools, and couldn’t get their mentor to teach them physically, had them virtually which not only helped them get literate, gain knowledge and continue their studies but also help the world, nation, region, culture, us a better future because they are the future. You guys might agree with what I’m going to say, which is that this captured and attracted a lot of people.

Why this is what I mean is, that the concept of online and virtual learning attracted a mass. It’s not just the benefit as I explained for the individual who is getting it and also for the individual who is giving it but also for the whole world, nation, and whatnot you can refer to it to.

What is ‘Literacy’?

Since we were talking about International Literacy Day 2022, literacy, people getting educated especially the youngsters or the learning age – what is the meaning of the term “literacy”? In a very literal sense, how ironic but the explanation that anybody could understand will be someone who is in a state of understanding everything by using logistics and their brain – being so-called educated, reading, writing, and speaking a certain language perhaps explaining in that language fluently so that others can also understand.

Although I have covered bits and bits about what literacy is, International Literacy Day 2022, its significance, and who & why started it, let’s come down to more about how it can help, and activities related to this topic.

Not everyone has a very artistic perspective, be it towards life or people, we can still, sometimes have an urge/arousal to help others out. In this context, helping someone out to understand what communication is – refers to how you can read, write and speak a certain language which helps you cut down the barrier to understanding others around you, not just so that they can understand you but also so that you can make a space and identity of yourself in the society and improve your skills at present and future to survive in that given society.

It is as important as a life skill and is also very crucial for economic development because it helps us both economically and individually and also binds the community for our betterment.

How does Literacy help us?

• – Makes our health life better.

• – Motivates us to keep on learning till the very end and build skills whenever we can without keeping age as a criterion.

• – Not only promotes gender equality but also improves the economy of the country which promotes literacy.

• – Creates peace and promotes a democratic mindset.

The main and the best part, it helps us bring our confidence back, build a powerful spine of self-esteem, and helps us improve our overall quality of life and lead our life.

What are some activities to do on International Literacy Day 2022?

The International Literacy Day 2022 activities that generally take place or people initiate by arousing motivation and others to do activity on this day mainly is by starting with creating awareness about what the day is celebrated about which is “literacy”, creating awareness about the concerns and the impacts that are not good for the existing literacy of the world or around the globe. This can also be raised locally and otherwise, it is done globally.

The second thing, that people tend to do with having a philanthropic mindset or maybe who have an altruistic mindset are as follows:

• They might either give some books.
• Don’t need childhood books or books that they don’t read in local classrooms.
• If they have enough space, some people have started community-leading libraries because they wanted to do something nice for the nation and increase the literacy rate not just for the nation but also for their specific area.
• People have also contributed to society by giving their brains or donating their brains after they die so that at least someone can use them to learn and gain knowledge to make a better future.
• Help people improve and get effective communication skills.
• Have helped to power up/charge up their knowledge bank and also can help create advancements in employment.

Why is 8th September celebrated as World International Literacy Day 2022?

International Literacy Day 2022 is observed this year on September 8 to highlight the importance of literacy and to throw light on issues that exist and affect local communities around us.

September 8 was proclaimed International Literacy Day (ILD) by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1966.

International Literacy Day 2022: Theme

The theme for International Literacy Day 2022 is “Transforming Literacy Learning Spaces” and its main focus will be to urge people to think about the fundamental importance of literacy learning spaces that helps us to build resilience and ensure quality, equitable, and inclusive education for all individuals around the globe.

Why do we celebrate International Literacy Day 2022?

International Literacy day 2022 is celebrated across the world to remind people of the importance of literacy for the betterment of communities, societies, and individuals. All people around the globe should consider literacy as a matter of dignity and human rights and over time, the importance of literacy is ever growing.

Through the celebration of International Literacy Day 2022, awareness is spread amongst the masses, encouraging people to take up the initiative towards a brighter future, one where people aren’t vulnerable because they are confined behind the bars of illiteracy, without basic knowledge of reading and writing.

Awareness and spreading of literacy are beneficial to the people because not only will this help eradicate poverty, unemployment, and gender inequality but will also help promote human rights amongst the crowd.

International Literacy day 2022 also makes us realize how blessed we are for the knowledge we have received. We feel thankful for our parents, our teachers, and all the other important people in our lives who have enabled us to become knowledgeable in reading and writing. Our literacy is a treasure for which we should be grateful each moment.

How to celebrate International Literacy Day 2022?

One can celebrate International Literacy Day 2022 in the following ways:

• By organizing a book fair in your community or area or even school
• By visiting a book fair or a library
• By tutoring children in rural or local areas, providing them with the skills of basic math, English, general knowledge, etc.
• By organizing reading competitions in schools and local areas.
• By conducting workshops on topics such as hygiene, pollution, and the importance of a healthy lifestyle (since education is not limited to books and subjects)
• By organizing story writing competitions and giving a free novel or a storybook as a reward
• By organizing a comic con or a story con on World Literacy Day