SPECIAL EVENTS

International Literacy Day

Saskatoon Mayor Don Atchison, with the 2009 International Literacy Day Committee

Left to right: Fernando Ferrer, StarPhoenix Educational Services; Cathy Sieben - Greater Saskatoon
Catholic School Division; Lori Kindrachuk - Saskatoon Public School Division; Robin Stone - Radius
Community Centre for Education and Employment Training; Mayor Don Atchison; Connie Jones -
Saskatchewan Literacy Network; Sue Emson - Saskatoon Public Library; Desiree Tirk - READ
Saskatoon; Laurie O’Connor - Saskatoon Food Bank and Learning Centre

On September 8th Celebrate International Literacy Day!

A Fundamental Right
Education is a fundamental right as enshrined in Article 26 of the United Nations' Universal
Declaration of Human Rights. Every person, regardless of race, gender, ethnic or social origin,
age or ability, has the right to access to education.

On International Literacy Day each year, UNESCO reminds the international community of the status of literacy and adult learning globally. Across Saskatoon and around the world, adult learning and literacy festivals and events share a common purpose – they are advocacy tools for raising the profile of adult learners and lifelong learning; they mobilize individuals to take advantage of the multitude of learning opportunities open to them; and they serve as a reminder that adult learning can be a powerful instrument for change.

As the movement for lifelong learning continues to expand in Canada, the Canadian Commission of UNESCO continues to work with a growing number of partners across the country. These include federal, provincial and municipal governments, literacy organizations, the education community and a myriad of professional, social, environmental and cultural organizations.

Working together, the Commission and its partners aim to ensure that adult learning will become a reality in the challenging years ahead. They play an active part in an international movement that recognizes that literacy is a human right, a tool of personal empowerment and a means for social and human development. Educational opportunities depend on literacy.

A good quality basic education equips pupils with literacy skills for life and further learning; literate parents are more likely to send their children to school; literate people are better able to access continuing educational opportunities; and literate societies are better geared to meet pressing development.

Internationally, 20% of adults struggle with low literacy and two-thirds of them are women; 75 million children are out-of-school and many more attend irregularly or drop out (www.unesco.org/en/literacy/).

Think Globally, Act Locally

September 8 was proclaimed International Literacy Day by UNESCO
on November 17, 1965. It was first celebrated in 1966.

2011 ILD Celebration Poster (PDF 116 KB)

2011 ILD Kit for Families and Schools (PDF 358 KB)

September 8 is a special day for Saskatoon literacy organizations, adult and family literacy learners and the community of Saskatoon.

The Saskatoon Literacy Coalition and its members, including READ Saskatoon, will mark the special day with book giveaways, prizes, speakers and fun. The annual celebration is at Cliff Wright Branch Library at the Lakewood Civic Center (McKercher Drive).

In addition, every school, business, organization and citizen in Saskatoon is invited to drop everything and read for 15 minutes at 1:00 pm. Register your participation by emailing info@readsaskatoon.com with the name of your organization and number of people participating.

Come join in the celebration and promote literacy in our community. Your presence and interest does make a difference!