SWIFT CURRENT, SK – Great Plains College, in partnership with Southwest Literacy Committee, will be celebrating International Literacy Day (ILD) on September 8. ILD has been celebrated around the world since 1967 to raise awareness of the importance of literacy as a matter of dignity and human rights and to advance the literacy agenda toward a more literate, equitable and sustainable society.
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has declared two ILD themes for 2024; “Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Promise of Education” and “Promoting multilingual education: Literacy for mutual understanding and peace”. There is a pressing need to harness the transformative potential of literacy for promoting mutual understanding, social cohesion, and peace.
“This year’s theme highlights the integral role literacy plays in the Sustainable Development Goals and Multilingual Education,” said Bula Ghosh, Southwest Literacy Committee member and literacy coordinator at Great Plains College. “When communities are informed, they can make decisions that favour learning. Without investing in literacy, many of these SDGs will face challenges in their path to achieve success. This year’s theme recognizes the importance of promoting the culture of learning one’s mother tongue, which lays the foundation for learning other languages and learning.”
The multiplier effect of literacy empowers people, increases their wellbeing, their ability to combat the challenges of life and increase civic participation. Lack of functional literacy skills can often trigger poverty, poor health and lack of civic participation.
Southwest Literacy Committee remains committed to promoting literacy in any way possible. Literacy is the foundation for building proficiency in reading, writing, numeracy and digital skills, which contributes directly to building healthy and productive communities and economies.
“Literacy empowers people, increases their wellbeing and enables them to participate fully in society,” added Ghosh. “Great Plains College works year-round to promote literacy and lifelong learning through the Adult Basic Education and English Language Training programs in particular.” In our global community, multilingual education
The Southwest Literacy Committee and its members offer family literacy, early years literacy and post-secondary programs to promote literacy throughout the southwest. Efforts include literacy kits that are prepared and provided to families with children aged 0-5 to establish a love for learning and reading at an early age; literacy and skills development programs, including computer skills training, provided through the Swift Current Branch Library, family-centered programs at Early Years Family Resource Centre and the Kids First program using the “Play Mobile” to travel to rural communities to reach families that wouldn’t otherwise have access to resources and literacy programs.
Great Plains College will be celebrating ILD in different ways to create awareness and understanding about this important day. The City of Swift Current has also agreed to proclaim September 2-8, 2024 as International Literacy Week.
“We are pleased that the City of Swift Current will once again proclaim International Literacy Week in our community,” added Ghosh. “We want to encourage other individuals and community agencies to participate in their own special way to encourage literacy skills development and to explore learning in non-traditional ways.”
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For more information contact:
Amy Masse, manager of marketing and communications
Phone: (306) 737-6107
Email