By Dyson Mthawanji
Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia will, for the first time, hold a joint International Literacy Day (ILD) celebration.
The event will take place in the boarder district of Mchinji in Malawi on 8th September. DVV International through the Adult Learning and Education (ALE) Thematic Group in Malawi came up with the idea of a joint commemoration to allow the three countries share experiences on ALE.
DVV International is working both in Malawi and Mozambique. Therefore, the event will allow the two countries to learn from each other while at the same time share notes of success stories and lessons learnt with Zambian ALE stakeholders.
The three countries share some cultural background which connect their citizens. It was from this background that Malawi’s ALE stakeholders thought of the three countries meeting and celebrating ILD together.
Culturally, the three countries mainly the Chewa people already gather every year at the end of August at Mkaika in Zambia to celebrate their culture at a ceremony called Kulamba. As part of preparations for the ILD event, some ALE stakeholders from Malawi will attend this year’s Kulamba ceremony in Zambia on 30th August as a curtain raiser for the ILD event.
The theme for International Literacy Day 2025 is "Promoting literacy for a world in transition: Building the foundation for sustainable and peaceful societies". This theme emphasises the role of literacy in fostering peace and sustainable development in a rapidly changing world.