Celebrating Literacy Across the Lifespan

As we join the nation and the world in observing International Literacy Day on September 8, the National Institute for Literacy wants you to know that it is never too late to learn to read or to improve your literacy skills. This month, the Institute is issuing this new card to recognize the importance of "Literacy Across the Lifespan." The card is one in a series that will be produced this year.

Background on International Literacy Day

International Literacy Day has been celebrated every September 8 since 1965, when the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) first established it. Many organizations and governments throughout the world take advantage of the day to consider the status of adult and child literacy, note progress, and identify work still to be done. In the U.S., literacy organizations, and state and local governments will mark International Literacy Day with a variety of events and observances.

Since 2003, the United Nations has made the needs of adults and the goal that "people everywhere should be able to use literacy to communicate within their own community, in the wider society and beyond," a decade-long effort. The theme for the United Nations Literacy Decade (2003-2012) is "Literacy for all: voice for all, learning for all."

"Literacy is not merely a cognitive skill of reading, writing and arithmetic, for literacy helps in the acquisition of learning and life skills that, when strengthened by usage and application throughout people's lives, lead to forms of individual, community and societal development that are sustainable," said Koïchiro Matsuura, UNESCO Director-General in his message on the occasion of International Literacy Day 2006. UNESCO or the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organizations, is an agency of the United Nations.

According to UNESCO, more than 780 million of the world's adults (nearly two-thirds of whom are women) cannot read or even write their own names, and between 94 and 115 million children lack access to education. First Lady Laura Bush, who works to promote literacy worldwide, serves as Honorary Ambassador for the United Nations Literacy Decade.