Today is International Literacy Day! This year’s theme is Literacy for a human-centred recovery: Narrowing the digital divide, with a particular focus on the interplay of literacy and digital skills required by youth and adults who struggle with literacy. The theme also explores what makes technology-enabled literacy learning inclusive and meaningful to leave no one behind.

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted learning and amplified inequalities in access to meaningful literacy learning opportunities. The change to online learning expanded the digital divide. International Literacy Day 2021 will explore how literacy learning can empower people and act as a foundation for recovery. The key questions identified are:

• What are inclusive and good policies, measures and interventions to put literacy, and possibly also digital skills, at the heart of a human-centred recovery from the COVID-19 crisis and to narrow the digital divide?
• How can learning of digital skills be integrated into technology-enabled literacy programmes in a meaningful manner?
• How can we mobilize adequate technical and financial support for the promotion of literacy programmes, including the ones that integrate digital skills learning?
• What are the kinds of partnerships and governance required to enhance technology- enabled literacy programmes for youth and adults?

UNESCO has prepared a concept note and will host an online conference over two days. The event will be live streamed on YouTube on September 8 and September 9. Read the provisional agenda for the International Literacy Day 2021 conference (also available in French and Spanish).