Paris, 8 September. International Literacy Day is celebrated every 8 September.
This year’s International Literacy Day will be celebrated worldwide under the theme, ‘Promoting literacy for a world in transition: Building the foundation for sustainable and peaceful societies’.
Despite the achievements made, some 763 million young people and adults lack basic reading and writing skills by 2020, so the issue remains a global priority.
Cuba celebrates International Literacy Day, recalling the literacy campaign launched in 1961, which declared the country the first illiteracy-free territory in Latin America. Unprecedented in the history of the Caribbean nation and a starting point for further progress in education.
The literacy campaign in Cuba made it possible to eradicate illiteracy and facilitate universal access to the various levels of education without any monetary cost, values that UNESCO promotes to fulfill the 2030 Education Agenda.
The Cuban method "Yo sí Puedo" won the UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prize in 2006 for its contribution to the teaching of reading and writing.
UNESCO has also recognized the achievements of the Cuban educational system, as well as the commitment of the Cuban government to ensure public, inclusive, free and quality education that generates opportunities for lifelong learning for all.
The results achieved in education demonstrate the political will of the Cuban government to ensure education as a fundamental human, despite the impact of the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the US government.
UNESCO’s recognition of Cuba’s international leadership in education is the result of our country’s continuous effort to improve the education system and our commitment to achive the Education Goal of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Permanent Mision of Cuba to UNESCO