Karen Blair, Features Writer

On September 8, the world will commemorate International Literacy Day. This year, the theme 'Literacy Sustains Development' emphasises that literacy is not only a positive outcome of development processes but also a lever of change and an instrument for achieving further social progress.

On this day, millions of men, women and children who cannot read and write are given hope that another chance to acquire these skills is not out of their reach. With the literacy rate in our country being more than 80% (2000-2004 UNICEF report), many Jamaicans take it for granted that we are already at the zenith of literacy and find it atrocious if one of our countrymen displays ignorance to such.

We also give little thought to the concept of literacy, whittling it down to simply being able to read and write. However, literacy is so much more than recognising and pronouncing words. It is much more than the ability to write a sentence or a paragraph. As Ko chiro Matsuura, UNESCO director-general, in his message on the occasion of International Literacy Day 2006 said, "Literacy is not merely a cognitive skill of reading, writing and arithmetic, for literacy helps in the acquisition of learning and life skills that, when strengthened by usage and application throughout people's lives, lead to forms of individual, community and societal development that are sustainable". In other words, it is our level of literacy that will determine our country's development and for how long it can be sustained.

This year, events are organised worldwide to raise public awareness and support literacy and you can do your part in your little corner of Jamaica. Our libraries are opened for use and welcome you to visit and take full advantage of their services. Find a book that interests you and go on the path to discovering new cultures, topics, people, places and ideas. If you are already a lover of knowledge, then pass on your love to a friend. Learning is never for now, it is forever.