On International Literacy Day 2021, the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning calls on the international community to increase funding and political will in order to ensure that all youth and a substantial proportion of adults achieve literacy and numeracy, as enshrined in the Sustainable Development Goals.

A UNESCO cost analysis, taking into account the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on national households, shows that if members of the Global Alliance for Literacy (GAL), home to 75 per cent of the illiterates worldwide, are to achieve near universal functional literacy by 2030 the international community will urgently need to close a funding gap of US $17 billion.

September 2021 Special issue: International Literacy Day 2021 US $17 billion needed to achieve universal literacy in the 29 countries of the UNESCO Global Alliance for Literacy On International Literacy Day 2021, the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning calls on the international community to increase funding and political will in order to ensure that all youth and a substantial proportion of adults achieve literacy and numeracy, as enshrined in the Sustainable Development Goals. A UNESCO cost analysis, taking into account the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on national households, shows that if members of the Global Alliance for Literacy (GAL), home to 75 per cent of the illiterates worldwide, are to achieve near universal functional literacy by 2030 the international community will urgently need to close a funding gap of US $17 billion. Learn more ► Counting the cost: Achieving literacy in countries of the Global Alliance for Literacy Download publication ‘The COVID-19 pandemic clearly showed that literacy saves lives! Only if people can read and write will they be able to access lifesaving information and be empowered to act responsibly during emergencies such as the one the pandemic has brought about.’ David Atchoarena Director, UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning ‘The COVID-19 pandemic has put domestic budgets of the Global Alliance for Literacy countries under even more pressure. But investment in literacy is essential if we are to recover well from this global pandemic.’ H.E. Kouaro Yves Chabi Benin's Minister of Secondary, Technical and Vocational Education and Co-chair of the UNESCO Global Alliance for Literacy It is time to act for literacy! Closing the digital divide: it’s about more than acces The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed stark inequalities in access to educational opportunities, particularly those requiring digital technologies, writes Esther Prins in her UIL blog. The 2021 International Literacy Day offers a chance to reflect on digital access and why it matters for human potential. Read the blog ► Resources We need better data for efficient policies Source: UNESCO, 2018. Re-orienting Education Management Information Systems (EMIS) towards inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning. Miguel Subosa, Mark West, 2018 Learn more ► Literacy and Numeracy Database LitBase, UNESCO’s Effective Literacy and Numeracy Practices Database, provides exemplary case studies of youth and adult literacy programmes representing some of the best practices around the world. The truly global nature of the collection – documenting over 230 case studies from 97 countries in all world regions – makes it a unique resource for providers and practitioners seeking to develop programmes that compare to the best in terms of design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and impact. Learn more ► Sign up for our mailings UIL Blog   IRE Editor's Monthly Choice ALADIN Online Alert   Copyright © 2021 UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning, All rights reserved. Our email address is: [email protected]