The Weekly Challenge, 2nd September 2019 – A Way with Words2nd September 2019
‘Literature adds to reality, it does not simply describe it’ C.S. Lewis
International Literacy Day is celebrated annually on the 8th September. Since 1966, this has been an opportunity to highlight improvements in world literacy rates, and reflect on the world’s remaining literacy challenges. Despite progress made, literacy challenges persist, distributed unevenly across countries and populations. This week’s challenge aims to celebrate the joy in reading and writing, and engage in conversations about how to address challenges and achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
Bring your favourite quote to life. Choose a quote from your favourite book, poem, song, rap, film and get creative! You could try your hand at calligraphy, capture the quote in a drawing or painting, get playful with wax resistant watercolor and crayons – you could even try and slip the quote into conversation. The theme of International Literacy Day 2019 will focus on ‘Literacy and Multilingualism’ – can you translate your quote, find a quote that celebrates language or that uses two or more?
If you have more time …
By 2030, the UN Global Goals want to ensure that all youth and a substantial proportion of adults, both men and women, achieve literacy and numeracy. Read more about the actions you can take to support the Goal 4 for Quality Education here, including:
– Donate your used books. The easiest way to give access to knowledge is to donate your used books to someone.
– Visit your local school and ask what school supplies they need. Start a school supply drive in your community.
– Mentor young people. You can provide tutoring and homework assistance, teach a language or deliver a lesson on the Global Goals.
Learning benefits every human being and should be available to all – what is the most recent thing that you have learnt? How can you pass on or share your learning with somebody else?
Share your challenge with thousands of Challengers across the country, and to support the #InternationalLiteracyDay2019 campaign.
Share your work online and tag #InternationalLiteracyDay2019 #AWayWithWords #64MillionArtists