International Literacy Day: Background Paper on 'Youth and Adult Literacy in the Time of COVID-19; Impacts and Revelations'

Specially prepared on the occasion of International Literacy Day 2020, this background paper illustrates the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on youth and adult literacy, based on the limited information that is currently available. It provides five regional snapshots and identifies preliminary lessons learned thus far, while aiming to inspire continued reflection and subsequent action. It also makes the case for the ongoing importance of advancing youth and adult literacy, a priority that was already neglected even before the pandemic but which deserves all our attention. ILD 2020 thus seeks to trigger reimaginations of literacy teaching and learning in the COVID-19 crisis and beyond, with a particular focus on the role of educators.