Focus on reading and writing: World Literacy Day event in Berlin!

Focus on reading and writing: World Literacy Day event in Berlin!

On Tuesday, September 16, 2025, a significant World Literacy Day event will take place at the Ingeborg Drewitz Library in Berlin. Under the motto “Literacy for all”, the Alpha Alliance Steglitz-Zehlendorf and the Steglitz-Zehlendorf City Library are organizing an extensive program that lasts from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. The event aims to draw attention to the need and importance of literacy, which is an essential prerequisite for social participation and personal and professional development. According to berlin.de, interested parties can take part in this free event without prior registration.

The program leaves nothing to be desired and offers a wide range of opportunities for active participation. Visitors can look forward to stories in simple language with Slavica Klimkowsky, while writing workshops and language games give them the opportunity to get creative themselves. An author reading with Jonas Ulrich and a book presentation about writing with ADHD round off the offer. Learners will also report on their personal experiences in basic education.

Additional literacy support

In addition to the event on World Literacy Day, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is planning to introduce new information packages as part of its “My Key to the World” campaign, which will be available from mid-August. These packages provide basic materials to support basic education courses and are aimed at both learners and multipliers. Particularly noteworthy is a free information package entitled “Better reading and writing pays off”, which includes a playful, cartoon-style household book that is particularly suitable for adults with reading and writing difficulties. Orders for the packages should be placed at least 10 working days before a planned promotion and further information is available at alphabetisierung.de.

Another important aspect of literacy in Germany is the documentation and analysis of studies that examine the reading and writing skills of the population. The German Institute for Adult Education conducts comprehensive studies, including the OECD study on adult reading comprehension. These insights are crucial to develop effective strategies to combat illiteracy and improve basic education.

Importance of literacy for society

The World Literacy Day initiative highlights not only the challenges of literacy, but also its fundamental role in society. According to the Bernburg theses on literacy, institutions such as the BMBF, the German Commission for UNESCO and other partners are working together to advance the national implementation of the World Literacy Decade. Studies such as the LEO study, which examines the level of literacy in German-speaking adults, show how urgently measures are needed to improve reading and writing skills.

Overall, these initiatives and events make it clear that literacy involves much more than just learning to read and write. It forms the basis for participation in society and opens up new perspectives in personal and professional development. Commitment and support from educational institutions and society as a whole are therefore required in order to offer everyone the opportunity to find “their key to the world”.