On 8 September of every year, International Literacy Day is observed to celebrate the significance of literacy for fundamental human rights and lifelong learning. This year’s theme, “Promoting literacy in the digital era.” marks the importance of digital literacy in daily life around the globe.
Theme and Purpose of International Literacy Day 2025
- Emphasizing the invaluable skills that individuals must be equipped with in today’s digital age, the theme for International Literacy Day 2025 is “Promoting literacy in the digital era.”
- Digital literacy has become a necessity as new digital technologies alter people’s methods of communication, learning, and work.
- New opportunities for an individual can only be realized after a person is empowered to make use of all the available options.
- Even though there has been a steady increase in literacy levels worldwide, there are still a large number of people who do not possess even the elementary level of literacy.
- Everyone is now aware of the escalating advancements in technology and how powerful the internet has become.
- It is therefore, all the more urgent that the digital literacy gap be effectively bridged and all the people, irrespective of their location, given an opportunity to be a part of this.
- International Literacy Day has been observed every year since 1967. The purpose of this is to highlight to everyone across the world that the ability to read and write is an essential human entitlement.
- It is also a necessary condition for the creation of societies that are equitable, serene, and sustainable, while encouraging continuing education and diminishing the divide between people in society.
- This day invites action and awareness from and for governments, societies, and people in general to make certain that as society moves forward in technology, everyone is a part of it.
Background and Significance of International Literacy Day 2025
- UNESCO set International Literacy Day on the 8th of September in 1967 with the intention of bringing attention to literacy as a basic and human right, a tool of lifelong learning and indeed the foundation of learning.
- All over the world, there are still an estimated 750 million adults who cannot read, and women make up to two-thirds of them, indicating that there are still large gaps in education.
- Literacy is a tool that provides knowledge, economic opportunities, and the ability to participate in society; it is a catalyst for development on both personal and communal levels.
- Through the celebration of the International Literacy Day, the intention is to strengthen marginalized communities, promote gender equality, and foster peace through literacy and education in digital mode.
- This day serves as a call to action for governments, educators, and civil society to intensify efforts toward universal literacy worldwide.
Importance of “Promoting literacy in the digital era”
Promoting literacy in the digital era is crucial because it equips individuals with the necessary skills to navigate, participate in, and contribute to digital society while addressing challenges like the digital divide and online safety.
Empowerment and Inclusion
Digital literacy empowers individuals to access information, communicate effectively, and be active participants in the digital economy. This skill fosters social inclusion by bridging gaps between privileged and marginalized groups, ensuring everyone can benefit from opportunities that arise in a tech-driven world.
Education and Career Readiness
With technology integrated into education, digital literacy enhances students’ learning experiences, boosts engagement, and opens access to global resources and online learning platforms. Mastery of digital tools is now essential for employability in nearly all industries, making digital literacy a lifelong professional skill.
Critical Thinking and Safety
Promoting literacy in the digital era develops critical thinking skills, enabling individuals to evaluate the credibility of online information and engage safely and responsibly with digital content. It also raises awareness about cyberbullying, cybersecurity, data protection, and ethical digital behavior.
Bridging the Digital Divide
Introducing digital literacy early can help close the gap created by unequal access to technology. By providing equitable digital education, students from all backgrounds gain the skills needed for academic and professional success.
Lifelong Learning and Civic Engagement
Digital literacy encourages ongoing learning as technologies evolve and supports civic participation by enabling engagement in digital governance, activism, and collaborative problem-solving.
Objectives of International Literacy Day 2025
- Raise Awareness: Mobilize society, governments, and institutions to recognize digital literacy as a fundamental human right, and encourage policies supporting equitable access to digital education and resources.
- Empower Through Education: Build capacities and set up digital learning environments where individuals from all backgrounds can acquire, update, and apply digital literacy skills throughout their lives.
- Promote Lifelong Learning: Encourage continuous skill development for all ages, emphasizing learning to use new technologies and AI responsibly, ethically, and effectively.
- Foster Global Solidarity: Ensure collective efforts to eliminate digital illiteracy, focusing on inclusion for all—especially children, women, and marginalized groups—through global campaigns, digital training, and accessibility initiatives.
International Literacy Day 2025 calls for a global commitment to make digital literacy accessible and meaningful for everyone, building more resilient, equitable, and peaceful societies.
Role of Youth and Community of International Literacy Day 2025
- The youth and community play a critical role in the achievement of goals set for International Literacy Day 2025, which focuses on Digital Literacy.
- The youth act as change agents with a lot of energy, creativity, and digital literacy, which helps in the promotion of literacy.
- Young people greatly enhance the promotion of literacy and multilingual education through organizing and participating in awareness campaigns, reading clubs, and the use of social media to bridge diverse communities.
- In addition, in underserved areas, youth volunteers are crucial in providing tutoring and mentoring to children facing challenges in reading and writing.
- Communities offer the nurturing environment that is fundamental for the growth of literacy. They are able to gather necessary materials, set up inclusive learning environments, and verify that educational activities observe all the languages and cultures.
- Programs at the community level, such as storytelling sessions, bilingual learning classes, and neighborhood literacy campaigns, promote inclusion and foster a sense of community.
- Together, youth and community collaboration enhances the reach and sustainability of literacy efforts, bridging gaps and fostering mutual understanding and peace through shared knowledge and respect for multilingualism.
- Their active participation is key to achieving a literate and harmonious society.
Way forward
International Literacy Day 2025 calls for the promotion of diverse language education to encourage understanding and peace. An emphasis on literacy programs that are inclusive, accessible, and suitable for the digital age will enhance the skills of marginalized persons, narrow societal gaps, and promote lifelong learning in pursuit of UNESCO’s Global Education Agenda for equitable and sustainable education for all.
Conclusion
International Literacy Day 2025 highlights the urgent need to promote digital literacy for all, bridging divides and empowering individuals to navigate technology safely and responsibly. By fostering inclusive digital skills, societies build resilience and open doors to education, opportunity, and informed participation in the digital world.
Read this article in Hindi: अंतर्राष्ट्रीय साक्षरता दिवस 2025 (8 सितंबर)
