International Literacy Day 2026: Literacy for People, the Planet and Prosperity

Join the North-West University (NWU) Library and Information Service in commemorating International Literacy Day 2026 under UNESCO’s global theme, “Literacy for People, the Planet and Prosperity.” This year’s event explores literacy beyond traditional reading and writing, focusing on the interconnected multiliteracies essential for navigating today’s multilingual, digital, and AI-enabled information environment.

The event will bring together students, academics, librarians, researchers, communication specialists and language practitioners to explore how information, media, digital, AI, visual and linguistic literacies can empower individuals to critically evaluate information, recognise misinformation and disinformation, communicate across languages and platforms, and participate responsibly in society. In celebration of South Africa’s Heritage Month, the programme will also highlight the role of indigenous languages, culture, oral traditions, storytelling and diverse forms of knowledge creation.

A key highlight will be a keynote presentation by Dr Seani Rananga, whose pioneering research resulted in a multilingual artificial intelligence system capable of detecting misinformation in English, isiZulu and Sepedi. Her work demonstrates how multiliteracies can support information integrity while advancing African languages and representation in emerging technologies.

Discover how multiliteracies can empower us to navigate information, embrace linguistic and cultural diversity, engage critically with artificial intelligence and contribute meaningfully to an increasingly interconnected world.