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Often taken for granted, the ability to read and write is an essential element to creating sustainable societies, which is why this year’s International Literacy Day looks to promote its importance over the long-term.

This year’s celebration of International Literacy Day is dedicated to exploring critical links and synergy between literacy and the future Sustainable Development Goals, which are to be adopted during the 70th session of the United Nations’ General Assembly later this month.

At the same time, progress in areas of sustainable development, such as health and agriculture, will be acknowledged as an enabling factor in the promotion of literacy and literate environments.

“Every year, on 8 September, we raise the flag for literacy as a human right, as a force for dignity, and as a foundation for cohesive societies and sustainable development,” reminds Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, in her message on the occasion of International Literacy Day.

This message is especially vital this year, she highlights, as States are preparing to adopt a new agenda for education and development to guide the next 15 years. Promoting literacy must stand at the heart of this new agenda, she says, adding that by empowering individual women and men, literacy helps to advance sustainable development across the board - from better healthcare and food security to eradicating poverty and promoting decent work.

However, Bokova issued a reminder that “today, 757 million adults still lack basic literacy skills - two thirds are women. The number of out-of-school children and adolescents is on the rise, standing at 124 million worldwide – while some 250 million children of primary school age are failing to master basic literacy skills even in schooling.”

To celebrate literacy, the Global March Against Child Labour compiled inspirational photo and video messages from partner organisations around the world, including one from Education International (EI) Deputy General Secretary Haldis Holst.

As educators and concerned citizens, you can also write and tweet a precise and simple message followed by the hashtags #LiteracyDay #SDGs #EFA.

UNESCO, together with EI, governments, multi-and bi-lateral organisations, NGOs, the private sectors, communities, teachers, learners and experts, appeals to all UN members states and all partners to redouble efforts – political and financial – to ensure that literacy is fully recognised as one of the most powerful accelerators of sustainable development.

To officially mark International Literacy Day, UNESCO is hosting a two-day event on 8-9 Sept. at its headquarters in Paris on Literacy and Sustainable Societies in the post-2015 era. The 2015 UNESCO International Literacy Prizes are also being awarded.