The theme for this year's International Literacy Day on 8 September is Literacy in a digital world. “Digital technologies permeate all spheres of our lives, fundamentally shaping how we live, work, learn and socialize,” says UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova. She emphasizes the importance of rethinking and improving skills required to take part in the digital world: “These new technologies are opening vast new opportunities to improve our lives and connect globally—but they can also marginalize those who lack the essential skills, like literacy, needed to navigate them.”
The UNESCO International Conference in Paris will bring together stakeholders and decision-makers from different parts of the world to examine how digital technology can help close the literacy gap and gain better understanding of the skills needed in today’s societies. This is particularly important considering that 750 million illiterate people around the world, 63% of whom are women, still lack basic reading and writing skills.
In addition, UNESCO International Literacy Prizes will be awarded to laureates from Canada, Colombia, Jordan, Pakistan and South Africa for innovative and effective programs which encourage the promotion of dynamic literate societies.
Digital literacy is core business for the JCU Library. Librarians can help develop your skills in classes and workshops, at the InfoHelp desk and via online Chat. Our LibGuides are designed
to help build your information
literacy skills and include
videos on finding, evaluating and referencing information.
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