Today, 8 September, marks International Literacy Day!

Following a decision by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the first International Literacy Day (ILD) was celebrated in 1967. Since that time celebrations have taken place every year on or around 8 September to mark the importance of literacy for a more just, peaceful and sustainable society.

This year’s theme is ‘Promoting literacy in the digital era’.

UNESCO International Literacy Prize and Conference

In June 2025 we applied for the UNESCO International Literacy Prizes. Following on from that application, we were thrilled to be asked to attend today’s International Literacy Day Conference and Prize Ceremony in UNESCO’s Headquarters in Paris.

Our Innovation Manager, Elaine Cohalan, is participating in the Conference’s first panel discussion, Enhancing lifelong learning ecosystems. This session will explore the future of literacy in a world where digital technologies are increasingly becoming part of life and impacting well-being. Elaine will be sharing the experience and impact of Learn with NALA.

Elaine will join a panel of experts including:

• Mr Driss El Jouni, Head of Programme Management Division, Directorate of the Second Chance School and Inclusive Education, Ministry of National Education, Preschool, and Sports, Morocco
• Mr Aliou Fall, Director of Literacy and National Languages, Ministry of National Education, Senegal; and
• Ms Irene Kaggwa, Programme Manager for our Giga initiative, International Telecommunication Union

Find out more about the International Literacy Price and Conference

2024 Annual Report

To mark International Literacy Day, we are also launching our 2024 Annual Report that describes our work in 2024 to:

• advocate for and empower adults with unmet literacy needs and those organisations and professionals working with and supporting those adults;
• enable organisations to be literacy friendly in the development and delivery of their services; and
• evolve NALA to be as effective, impactful and sustainable as possible.

Read the Annual Report

Other activities this month

Throughout the month we will continue to raise awareness of literacy needs and services in Ireland by:

• attending the National Ploughing Championships that are taking place 16 – 18 September 2025 in Screggan, Tullamore, Co Offaly
• having a free Learn with NALA introduction webinar at 1 pm on 17 September 2025. This is for tutors who are using our Learn with NALA eLearning website
• collaborating with AONTAS, the National Adult Learning Organisation on a National Skills Conversation: Challenges and opportunities for adult education and literacy. It will take place 9:30am – 12:30 on Thursday 25 September 2025 in The Liffey Corner, (CHQ) Building, Custom House Quay D01 KF84. Moderated by columnist and broadcaster Sarah Carey, the event will present recent educational research and insights and discuss the implications and opportunities for Irish society.
• attending the fourth International Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) Research Conference 2025 in Mannheim, Germany 30 September to 1 October 2025. Our Research and Policy Officer, Aoife Crawford, will be presenting her paper, Whose Literacy Needs Are Not Being Met? An Analysis of PIAAC Cycle 2 Data on Adults who Score at or Below Level 1 in Literacy, and Aren’t in Education or Training, in Ireland and Across The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

Becoming a member

If you are not currently a member of NALA and are interested in hearing more about and supporting our work please consider becoming a NALA member.

Thank you again for your ongoing interest in literacy and us