Statement by President Michael D. Higgins marking World Literacy Day 2018
Date: Fri 7th Sep, 2018 | 13:51
“On International Literacy Day (8 September), as members of the United Nations family, we are encouraged to acknowledge the vital importance of education and literacy.
Functional literacy for all is an essential precondition for the achievement of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. Literacy transforms lives, opens up opportunities and sustains the democratic functioning of society.
On this United Nations designated day, we are asked to remind ourselves of the efforts required to ensure the achievement of literacy as a fundamental human right for all.
On World Literacy Day let us acknowledge, too, the realities of the digital era in which knowledge and competencies continue to evolve, and let us commit to redoubling our efforts to reduce inequalities and close the literacy skills gap.”