This year the International Literacy Association and UNESCO celebrate the 50th anniversary of International Literacy Day (ILD) at an event entitled “Reading the Past, Writing the Future,” in which key cross-sector stakeholders will dig deeper into the progress being made to eradicate illiteracy around the globe.

We will gather in Paris Sept. 8 and 9 to identify the challenges in literacy education and how to address them in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which focuses on the critical factors of equity, inclusion, quality, and gender dimensions. The agenda also aims to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all,” which makes way for the launch of the Global Alliance for Literacy (GAL), of which ILA will be a part. We’ll be sure to keep you updated on the strides we are making through GAL and other international partnerships.

In Paris, through sessions and panel discussions, we will look at the progress made in the last 50 years and look toward the future to see how we can finally begin to move the needle toward a literate society. A literate society is one that makes informed political decisions. A literate society can make informed medical decisions. A literate society makes the decisions that lead to prosperity and our collective success. Yet, despite our efforts, 12% of the world remains illiterate—nearly 800 million people.

As part of ILD, ILA is also taking “Steps to Advance Literacy,” by developing our activity kit and service kit.

We took a look at the lengths children around the world go to get to quality education and focused our activity kit on Jamaica, where the barriers to education are great. In addition to the school supplies necessary for any successful student, there are uniforms to buy, down to the right shoes. Parents and students must also arrange for transportation, whether on a bus or on foot. ILA’s affiliate, Jamaica Reading Association, has worked tirelessly to make literacy accessible to all by working to get books into classrooms and libraries and providing professional development at their annual national conference. To engage the community in the effort, the group also organizes concerts and marches in the street on ILD to raise literacy awareness and celebrate education.

We hope you’ll also join us by celebrating ILD in your district, school, and community on September 8, 2016. Share with us the activities and events you are participating in via social media using #ILD16 and #Steps4Literacy. Together we can take the necessary steps toward 100% literacy around the world.

Marcie Craig Post is ILA’s executive director.