Every year on September 8, the world marks the International Literacy Day, a day dedicated to reminding us how powerful the ability to read, write, and learn truly is. What began in the late 1960s as a UNESCO initiative has grown into a global tradition that highlights the link between literacy and human progress.

This year’s theme, “Promoting literacy in the digital era,” calls attention to a new reality. Reading and writing remain the foundation, but in today’s connected world, literacy also means knowing how to navigate technology, spot reliable information, and use digital tools effectively. In short, being literate today is no longer just about books, but it’s also about screens.

Despite major strides in education, the numbers tell a worrying story. Millions of adults and young people still cannot read or write. Millions of children remain out of school, and many who do attend struggle to reach basic reading levels. On top of that, those without internet access or digital devices risk being left behind a second time—excluded from both the traditional classroom and the digital one.

That’s why this year’s focus on digital skills is so important. The internet has become central to how people work, study, and even engage in civic life. Experts now describe digital literacy as just as essential as reading, writing, and arithmetic. Schools are being urged to integrate these skills into daily learning, and governments are being called on to bridge the digital divide for marginalized communities.

In Paris today, UNESCO is hosting its annual Literacy Day global celebration and prize ceremony, bringing together educators, policymakers, and activists from around the world. But beyond official gatherings, communities everywhere are finding creative ways to join in through book drives, reading clubs, digital workshops, and awareness campaigns.