September 8 was Literacy Day in Saskatchewan, a time to create an awareness of the importance of reading and writing.
Saskatchewan's proclamation of the day recognizes the global tradition that began in 1965 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
For more than 40 years, UNESCO has been celebrating this day by reminding the international community that literacy is a human right and the foundation for all learning. This year's theme is Literacies for the 21st Century.
"Reading and writing skills are foundational to an individual's life-long learning and future success," Education Minister Russ Marchuk says. "A well-educated and highly-skilled population contributes to the social and economic well-being of our communities and our province."
There are a number of organizations that support the development of these skills for people and communities in Saskatchewan, including the Saskatchewan Literacy Network (SLN) and the Saskatchewan Aboriginal Literacy Network (SALN).
"Literacy is a dynamic process where we make sense of the world around us through lifelong and life wide learning," SLN Executive Director Karen Rosser adds. "It is about how we communicate in society and how we prepare for a changing world."
For more information on the Government of Saskatchewan's initiatives to improve literacy, visit www.education.gov.sk.ca/literacy.
For more information on the Saskatchewan Literacy Network please visit the SLN website at www.sk.literacy.ca.
For information regarding International Literacy Day, visit http://www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/events/prizes-and-celebrations/celebrations/international-days/literacy-day/.
