World Read Aloud Day is celebrated each year on the first Wednesday of March. It was started by the LitWorld.org website in 2010 and has now reached 65 countries. Its aim is to encourage the almost 800 million people worldwide who cannot read to enjoy the benefits of a book. LitWorld says: "Celebrate by reading aloud, giving away a book, or taking action in any way you can to Read It Forward on behalf of the 793 million people who cannot read." The website asks us to "imagine a world where everyone can read". It says: " World Read Aloud Day asks everyone to celebrate the day by grabbing a book, finding an audience, and reading out loud. [It] is about taking action to show the world that the right to read and write belongs to all people."

The website has asked visitors to join a Global Literacy Movement to reduce the number of illiterate people in the world. LitWorld says, "there is an urgent need to invest in education" so we can benefit from the "unquantifiable potential" of those who currently cannot read. The organisation urges us to act to encourage people to read. "It's time to take a big stand…by reading aloud to anyone who might like it. Share a book with a child who might need it, share a story with someone who would treasure it, listen to someone else's as they share with you. The United Nations says: "Literacy involves a continuum of learning in enabling individuals to achieve their goals, to develop their knowledge and potential, and to participate fully in their community and wider society."

譯文屬可可英語原創(chuàng)，未經(jīng)允許，不得轉載。