Sept. 8 is International Literacy Day.
The United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organizations goal is to remind everyone of the importance of literacy and adult learning globally.
Cariboo-Chilcotin Partners for Literacy asks everyone to celebrate this day with your family and friends by learning something new together. Remember that learning happens all the time.
You may ask why and how does this concern me? In today’s world our community is now linked in so many ways to the larger global community.
We need to keep our literacy skills high and continue to learn so that we understand how the world around us affects our daily lives.
With the political unrest in the Middle East, what will happen with oil and gas prices. How will that affect our Canadian dollar? How will this affect our jobs? With strong literacy skills we will be better prepared for world events that may seem so far away from us but definitely have strong impacts on our lives.
In a more practical sense in our daily lives with higher literacy skills we make better choices. We are able to understand our money, make healthy lifestyle choices, eat better and have more joy in our lives.
With higher literacy skills you will have greater success in finding work that you enjoy. You will be better prepared to handle change, stress and all the things that happen in our lives. Every day there is an opportunity to learn something new.
We need to think of literacy and learning as moving targets, making an effort to continue to learn throughout our lives. Try a new recipe, read a book, pick up the local Williams Lake Tribune newspaper, read with your children, start a book club.
By learning with your children you will create a closer bond with them. With continued learning we become better parents, employers, employees, friends and have a much fuller richer life. So this September 8 on International Literacy Day celebrate with your friends and family by learning something new together.
Cariboo-Chilcotin Partners for Literacy offers free programs and services to help people in the South Cariboo reach their learning goals. Check out www.caribooliteracy.com or call Mel at 250-945-4199 for more information.