This year’s International Literacy Day (ILD) has as a theme ‘Transforming Literacy Spaces’, with the aim of promoting a more holistic way of thinking about where and how people develop literacy skills.

As set out in the concept note, this is explicitly about recognising the crucial role of non-formal education venues and institutions, including of course libraries, as well as workplaces and beyond. It also focuses on the full range of materials that can support literacy as well as digital tools, while warning that without care, digital divides risk becoming literacy divides.

This year’s ILD conference takes place in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, and touches on all of these themes, with a particular focus on how to incorporate this wider perspective into government policies and plans. There are also discussions about how to ensure inclusivity, governance, and the specific challenges associated with different types of learning space.

It also includes the presentation of UNESCO’s International Literacy Prizes – with one prize-winner being Sarawak State Library, Malaysia!

IFLA will be represented in person at the conference by a local team, as well as online, including:

  • Adama Kone, Library of the National Assembly, Côte d’Ivoire
  • Kouassi Attreman, National Library of Côte d’Ivoire
  • Yaya Touré, National Library of Côte d’Ivoire
  • Souleymane Sogoba, Planing and Statistics Unit, Rural Development Sector, Mali