It's International Literacy Day. Let's Read a Book.September 11, 2014

"I have always cherished the joy of reading. As a child, I yearned for the weekly family trip to our local public library, where I would return with five or six books to devour within the week. Hot summer afternoons spent sitting at my mother's workplace, waiting for her to finish, were transformed as I became immersed in another literary adventure. Even now I relish the quiet sanctity that comes with settling into a good book."
- Julia Gillard
On November 17, 1965, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) proclaimed September 8 as International Literacy Day. First celebrated in 1966, this event underlined the importance of education. In an ideal world, this should be a right.
So what does this occasion have to do with likes of us? Reading for a start. When was the last time you opened a book? Did you finished it? We took these questions for granted. When we (almost) have it all, we tend to be complacent. Moreover, the Internet became a substitute. Not a good one (unless you fancy online reading).
Share the knowledge
Before modern technology turned the world into something we knew, a book was the best thing in someone's life. Knowledge led to opportunities, which literacy was the foundation. This was the case in developing countries, which was the aim of special agencies like UNESCO.
It would be wrong to call reading a past time. Nothing would replace a literary adventure. These books were written by great men (and women). It doesn't have to be a solitary pursuit, as there were ways to make it enjoyable. (Enthusiasm comes in numbers.) To share a few:
A book club to share your passion. You would be stoked when you find out about other people who share your interest on a particular genre. Science fiction, you say? The weird feeling would dissipate. Nothing better than the exchange of ideas and opinion. How about a particular author? An interesting conversation could turned a weekend into a memorable one.
A library that have been there. When was the last time did you drop by your local library? Don't be embarrassed if it was many moons ago. You weren't the only one. There would be many valid reasons for not going there, one of which was a lifestyle change. How about a visit now and then? This would be a good opportunity to find a title and read it. No deadline, no pressure.
A cause that needs books. It would be cool if you were a bibliophile specialising on first editions. But if your room needed a space, then how about donating some books of your own? A local library might needed it (and thank you for it). Some groups might knew communities in need of reading material. You would make the world a better place, and nothing could be better than that.
There are more ways to make International Literacy Day memorable. Tell us what you have in mind.
Related posts
Popular articles
Going, going to death row ( Jan 2nd 2017)
English may be a stable language, and outsiders will believe that it won't change more. If you happen to be a student of linguistics, ... Read more >
When in Rome, follow what I ask you to do ( Dec 29th 2016)
It must be the middle-aged man, whose English was barely comprehensible to the tourists in the minibus (or so I thought). ... Read more >
The great escape (or whatever you call it) ( Dec 27th 2016)
My tutor rolled her eyes (or so I thought). She would have heard my lines one too many. I wanted an escape from my inner turmoil, ... Read more >
The road to the Australian Open: A sneak preview ( Dec 22nd 2016)
The 105th edition of the Australian Open would be a few weeks away, yet Australia's most promising juniors are playing their ... Read more >
Here's my bucket list this summer ( Dec 21st 2016)
Mum didn't like my reaction to a small group of tourists taking selfies in front of the Sydney Opera House. We should be grateful ... Read more >
-
FreeOutline$5
-
FreeUlimited Amendments*$30
-
FreeTitle page$5
-
FreeBibliography$15
-
FreeFormatting$10
-
Preparing orders578
-
Completed orders152
-
Active writers365
-
Proofreaders20
-
Discount programs available for customers6
-
Chat operators are online11
-
Phone operators are online22
-
Satisfied customers95.8%
