Today is International Literacy Day (ILD). It is celebrated to remind the public of the importance of literacy as a matter of dignity and human rights, and to advance the literacy agenda towards a more literate and sustainable society. Despite steady progress made across the world, literacy challenges persist with at least 763 million young people and adults lacking basic literacy skills in 2020. The recent COVID-19 crisis and other crisis, such as climate change and conflicts, have been exacerbating the challenges.

This year the theme of the International Literacy Day is ‘Promoting literacy for a world in transition: Building the foundation for sustainable and peaceful societies’. Under this theme, the day will be celebrated at the global, regional, country, and local levels across the world. At the global level, a conference will be organized in person and online in Paris, France. This global celebration will include the award ceremony of the UNESCO International Literacy Prizes to announce this year's outstanding prizewinning programmes.  

Meanwhile, UNESCO has called on governments to implement appropriate regulations and teacher training, to ensure a human-centred approach to using Generative Artificial IntelIigence in education. To this end, UNESCO publishes the first-ever global Guidance on Generative Artificial IntelIigence in Education and Research, designed to address the disruptions caused by Generative AI technologies.
International Literacy Day is being celebrated since 1967.