Literacy is Life Gift of Reading

In recognition of The United Nations Economic, Scientific, and Cultural Organization’s 48^th International Literacy Day book owls will once again be giving the gift of reading by placing brand new books throughout Halifax Regional Municipality for people to find. If you find a book please take a picture of yourself with your new book and email it to us.  We would once again like to thank First Book Canada for the donation of books to help with this event.

About UNESCO Literacies in the 21^st Century

Why do people need literacy skills? How is literacy shaped by culture, history, language, religion and socio-economic conditions? What are the impacts of technological advancement on literacy? Is it possible to determine in a diverse world a minimum set of basic literacy skills?

Literacy is a right and a foundation for lifelong learning, better well-being and livelihoods. As such it is a driver for sustainable and inclusive development. Over the years, the notion of literacy has evolved. The conventional concept limited to reading, writing and numeracy skills is still in wide use, as well as the notion of functional literacy which links literacy with socio-economic development. But other ways of understanding “literacy” or “literacies” have emerged to address the diverse learning needs of individuals in knowledge-oriented and globalized societies.

This year’s International Literacy Day is dedicated to “literacies for the 21st century” to highlight the need to realize “basic literacy skills for all” as well as equip everyone with more advanced literacy skills as part of lifelong learning.